ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Record Prize Pool and Exciting Trophy Tour Announced
Record Prize Money Announced
As the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 approaches in just 60 days, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed an unprecedented prize money pool for the tournament, which will take place in England and Wales. The total prize fund has been raised to 8,764,615 USD, reflecting a 10% increase from the previous edition in 2024.
This new amount exceeds the 7,958,077 USD shared among the ten participating nations in 2024, as the tournament prepares to welcome 12 teams for the first time in its history. The champions will receive 2,340,000 USD, while the runners-up will earn 1,170,000 USD. Each losing semi-finalist will take home 675,000 USD, and teams will earn 31,154 USD for every victory in the group stage. Additionally, all 12 teams are assured a minimum prize of 247,500 USD.
Sanjog Gupta, the CEO of ICC, expressed his enthusiasm for the growth of women's cricket and emphasized the governing body's dedication to enhancing the sport's global presence. He stated, "The growth of women's cricket continues to accelerate, and the expansion of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup to 12 teams, combined with a record prize pool, underlines our commitment to building a stronger, more competitive global game."
"The ongoing rise of women's cricket through increased investment and opportunity reflects the growing influence and impact of female athletes on the global stage. With this momentum building across every aspect of women's cricket, this event is poised to set new attendance and viewing records while leaving a lasting impact on the broader socio-cultural landscape worldwide," he concluded.
Trophy Tour to Build Excitement
In addition to the prize announcement, the ICC Trophy Tour with DP World will commence on Monday, traveling across Europe leading up to the tournament. The tour will kick off in London, where the trophy will be showcased at the central square of the tournament's final venue, the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground. This will be accompanied by a stunning projection of the trophy's silhouette onto the famous pavilion.
Following its London debut, the trophy will visit qualified European member nations, including the Netherlands, Ireland, and Scotland, before embarking on an extensive tour of the host cities in England throughout May, generating excitement ahead of the opening day on June 12.
The tour will feature visits to significant locations with numerous opportunities for fan engagement, particularly in host cities such as Millennium Square (Leeds), St Peter's Square (Manchester), Bullring (Birmingham), Cabot Circus (Bristol), Guildhall Square (Southampton), and Trafalgar Square (London).
Tournament Groups and Opening Fixture
The tournament is set to commence on June 12, with hosts England facing Sri Lanka in the opening match at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
Group A will include India, the reigning 50-over champions, along with Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, the Netherlands, and Bangladesh. Group B will feature defending champions New Zealand, alongside England, Ireland, Scotland, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies.