The International Cricket Council has unveiled a significant boost to the total prize fund for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in England and Wales this summer. The tournament's prize pool has seen a 10 per cent increase from 2024, with the winning team set to receive $2.34m (£1.74m) and the runners-up taking home $1.17m (£871,024). Notably, all participating teams are now guaranteed a minimum of $247,500 (£184,245), more than double the amount from the previous edition.
As the tournament approaches, England is gearing up to host the event, with the first match between England and Sri Lanka at Edgbaston just 60 days away. ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta emphasized the organization's commitment to fostering a more competitive and robust global game, highlighting the growing influence of female athletes worldwide. The tournament, which has expanded to 12 teams, is poised to break attendance and viewing records, leaving a lasting impact on the global sports landscape. While the prize money for the top two teams remains unchanged from 2024, there was a substantial 134 per cent increase from 2023.
The total prize pot for the 2026 tournament stands at $8,765m (£6.528m), with the 33-match event set to take place across 24 days in seven venues. Tournament director Beth Barrett-Wild expressed excitement about the landmark moment for women's cricket, citing record-breaking ticket demand and the largest-ever prize pot for a global women's T20 competition.