The International Cricket Council has unveiled a significant 10 percent increase in the overall prize fund for the Women's T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to take place in England and Wales this summer. The winning team will receive $2.34 million (£1.74 million), while the runners-up will take home $1.17 million (£871,024), maintaining the same earnings as the previous edition.
Notably, all participating teams are guaranteed a minimum of $247,500 (£184,245), more than double the amount assured in 2024. With the tournament just 60 days away, England is set to face off against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston, aiming to replicate the success of the Lionesses and Red Roses with a win on home soil, following a winless streak in the T20 World Cup since the inaugural edition in 2009. ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta stated, 'The growth of women's cricket is accelerating, and the expansion of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup to 12 teams, combined with a record-breaking prize pool, underscores our commitment to building a stronger, more competitive global game.' The winners' and runners-up prize remains unchanged from 2024, but there was a 134 percent increase in prize money for the top two teams compared to 2023. The total prize pot for the tournament has grown to $8,765 million (£6,528 million) with the expansion to 12 teams.
The 33-match event will be held across 24 days in seven venues, featuring teams from Australia, Bangladesh, India, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, and West Indies. Tournament director Beth Barrett-Wild noted, 'The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 is poised to be a landmark moment for the game, on track to become the most attended women's cricket event in history, with record-breaking ticket demand and the largest-ever prize pot for a global women's T20 competition.' The trophy tour will commence at Lord's Cricket Ground before traveling to qualified European nations and visiting the hosting cities ahead of the first ball on June 12. The prize money breakdown includes: Winners: $2,340,000 (£1,742,238.11), Runners up: $1,170,000 (£871,119.05), Losing semi-finalists: $675,000 (£502,568.68), Group match win: $31,154 (£23,195.59), and an assured prize pot for all 12 teams: $247,500 (£184,275.18).