The International Cricket Council has announced record prize money for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. The total prize pool for the event has been set at $8,764,615, according to the official ICC website.
This is an increase of around 10% compared to the 2024 edition, where the overall prize fund stood at $7,958,077.
According to the updated breakdown, the 2026 T20 World Cup champion team will receive $2,340,000. The runner-up will take home $1,170,000. The two teams that lose in the semi-final stage will each be awarded $675,000.
Every group-stage win will earn a team US$31,154. A minimum guaranteed payment has also been set for all participating teams, which is US$247,500.
Meanwhile, the upcoming edition will also feature an expanded format with 12 teams participating for the first time in the tournament’s history.
“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,” ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta said.
He further said that the increased investment in women’s cricket “reflects the growing influence and impact of female athletes on the global stage”.
“With that same momentum building across every aspect of women’s cricket, this event is shaping up to not only set a host of new attendance and viewing records in the sports and media ecosystems but also leave a lasting impact on the wider socio-cultural landscape across the world,” he added.
Alongside the prize money announcement, the ICC has launched the Trophy Tour in partnership with DP World. The tour began in London, where the trophy was displayed at Lord’s Cricket Ground, which will also host the final of the competition.
The trophy will travel next to several European nations that have qualified for the tournament, including the Netherlands, Ireland, and Scotland. After that, it will move across host cities in England.
The 2026 T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 12 with the opening match taking place between England and Sri Lanka at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
-- Agencies
