The International Cricket Council (ICC) made a historic decision during its Annual Conference in July 2023, announcing that women will receive equal prize money to men in World Cup events. This move marks a significant step towards gender equality in cricket, making it the first major team sport to offer equal compensation for both genders in global tournaments.
The change will take effect at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The prize pool for the tournament has been increased by 225%, with the winners set to receive $2.34 million, a significant rise from the $1 million awarded to Australia in 2023. Runners-up will now earn $1.17 million, while semi-finalists who do not advance will receive $675,000 each.
This increase in prize money aligns with the ICC’s strategy to prioritize women’s cricket and foster its growth by 2032. Teams in both the men’s and women’s tournaments will now receive equal prize money for similar achievements and match wins.
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will feature 10 teams playing 23 matches across Dubai and Sharjah, with the tournament kicking off on 3 October between Bangladesh and Scotland at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
