The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced an unprecedented prize pool of USD 13.88 million (approximately ₹122.5 crore) for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. This ground-breaking announcement marks a seismic shift in women’s cricket, representing a 297% increase from the previous edition and even surpassing the men’s World Cup prize money, making it the richest tournament in women’s cricket history.
The 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, set to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2, 2025, will create new benchmarks not just in terms of prize money but also in establishing gender parity in professional cricket. This historic decision reflects the ICC’s unwavering commitment to elevating women’s cricket to unprecedented heights.
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Record-Breaking Prize Money Distribution
The prize money structure for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup demonstrates the ICC’s commitment to rewarding excellence at every level of competition.
The financial rewards have been carefully structured to ensure that every participating team benefits significantly from their involvement.
| Position | Prize Money (USD) | Prize Money (₹ Crore) | Increase from 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winners | $4.48 million | ₹39.55 crore | 239% |
| Runners-up | $2.24 million | ₹19.77 crore | 273% |
| Semi-finalists | $1.12 million each | ₹9.89 crore each | 273% |
| Group Stage Teams | $250,000 | ₹2.2 crore | Base guarantee |
| Per Group Win | $34,314 | ₹30.29 lakh | Performance bonus |
The winners of the 13th edition will receive USD 4.48 million (approximately ₹39.55 crore), representing a staggering 239% increase from the USD 1.32 million (₹11.65 crore) awarded to Australia in 2022. This amount remarkably exceeds the $4 million prize awarded to the men’s World Cup winners in 2023.
Comparison with Previous Editions and Men’s Cricket
The transformation in prize money for women’s cricket becomes even more evident when compared to previous editions and the men’s tournament. The 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup prize pool not only quadruples the 2022 edition but also surpasses the men’s World Cup held in India in 2023.
Historical Prize Money Evolution
The journey of prize money in women’s cricket has been remarkable:
- 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup: USD 3.5 million (₹30 crore)
- 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup: USD 10 million (₹88 crore)
- 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup: USD 13.88 million (₹122.5 crore)
This progression showcases an extraordinary leap forward, with the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup offering USD 3.88 million more than the men’s tournament, marking a historic milestone in cricket’s pursuit of gender equality.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah’s Vision for Women’s Cricket
ICC Chairman Jay Shah’s announcement represents more than just financial commitment – it embodies a transformative vision for women’s cricket globally. His statements reflect the ICC’s determination to establish true parity in professional cricket.
“Our message is simple, women cricketers must know they will be treated on par with men if they choose this sport professionally,” Jay Shah, the ICC chair, said in a statement. “The uplift [in prize money] underscores our ambition to deliver a world-class ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and to inspire the next generation of players and fans. Women’s cricket is on a remarkable upward trajectory, and with this step we are confident the momentum will accelerate.”
This four-fold increase in prize money represents what Shah describes as “a landmark moment for women’s cricket and reflects our clear commitment to its long-term growth.” The ICC’s strategy demonstrates a comprehensive approach to developing women’s cricket as a sustainable and lucrative career option.
Detailed Prize Structure Analysis
The 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup prize distribution ensures that every participant benefits significantly, creating a comprehensive reward system that recognizes performance at all levels.
Group Stage and Participation Rewards
| Achievement | Prize Money (USD) | Prize Money (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| 5th Position | $700,000 | ₹6.2 crore |
| 6th Position | $700,000 | ₹6.2 crore |
| 7th Position | $280,000 | ₹2.47 crore |
| 8th Position | $280,000 | ₹2.47 crore |
| Group Stage Participation | $250,000 | ₹2.2 crore |
| Each Group Win Bonus | $34,314 | ₹30.29 lakh |
This structure ensures that even teams finishing in lower positions receive substantial financial rewards, making participation in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup financially viable and attractive for all cricket boards.
Impact on Women’s Cricket Development
The record prize money for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup is expected to have far-reaching effects on women’s cricket development globally. This financial commitment will likely influence how cricket boards invest in their women’s programs and how players approach their professional careers.
Professional Career Viability
The substantial increase in prize money transforms women’s cricket from a passion pursuit to a viable professional career. The increased prize money aligns with the ICC’s strategy to focus on the growth of the women’s game, and a decision to introduce pay parity was announced ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
This financial backing provides female cricketers with the security and motivation to dedicate themselves fully to the sport, knowing that excellence will be rewarded commensurately.
Global Development and Inspiration
The unprecedented prize pool is expected to inspire the next generation of female cricketers worldwide. Young girls can now see women’s cricket as a legitimate career path offering substantial financial rewards for excellence and dedication.
Tournament Details and Venue Information
The 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup will be hosted across five prestigious venues, showcasing the best of Indian and Sri Lankan cricket infrastructure:
Host Venues and Opening Match
- Opening Match: India vs Sri Lanka, September 30, 2025
- Venue: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
- Final: November 2, 2025
Indian Venues:
- Guwahati (Barsapara Cricket Stadium)
- Indore
- Navi Mumbai
- Visakhapatnam
Sri Lankan Venue:
- Colombo
This will be India’s fourth time hosting the women’s World Cup, after the 1978, 1997, and 2013 editions, and Sri Lanka’s first time hosting the event. The tournament marks a significant moment for both nations in promoting women’s cricket in the subcontinent.
Tournament Format and Participation
The 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup will feature eight teams competing for the unprecedented prize money. This will be the last time that the tournament will have eight teams, as future editions are expected to expand, further demonstrating the growth trajectory of women’s cricket.
Australia enters as the defending champions, having won their seventh title in 2022. The substantial prize money increase adds extra motivation for all teams to challenge the Australian dominance and claim the record-breaking winner’s purse.
Strategic Implications for Cricket Boards
The record prize money announcement for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup will likely influence how cricket boards worldwide approach their women’s cricket programs. The financial rewards now justify increased investment in coaching, infrastructure, and player development.
Investment Justification
Cricket boards can now present compelling business cases for investing in women’s cricket, as the potential returns have increased dramatically. The prize money provides clear evidence that women’s cricket is becoming a financially viable investment rather than merely a goodwill gesture.
Player Retention and Development
The substantial financial rewards will help cricket boards retain their best female talent and attract more women to the sport. The prize money creates clear career pathways and financial incentives for pursuing excellence in women’s cricket.
Global Response and Industry Impact
The cricket industry has responded overwhelmingly positively to the ICC’s announcement regarding the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup prize money. This decision is viewed as a watershed moment that could accelerate the development of women’s cricket globally.
The unprecedented prize pool sets a new standard for women’s sport globally, potentially influencing other sporting bodies to reconsider their prize money structures and investment in women’s competitions.3
Read More: Mitchell Starc Retires from T20Is Targeting 2027 World Cup and Prioritize Test Cricket Future
FAQs
How much prize money will the winners of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup receive?
The winners of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup will receive USD 4.48 million (approximately ₹39.55 crore), which is a 239% increase from the 2022 edition and even exceeds the men’s World Cup prize money.
How does the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup prize money compare to the men’s World Cup?
The 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup total prize pool of USD 13.88 million surpasses the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup prize money of USD 10 million by USD 3.88 million, marking historic gender parity in cricket.
Which countries are hosting the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup?
The 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2, 2025, across five venues including Guwahati, Indore, Navi Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, and Colombo.
What is the minimum prize money guaranteed for participating teams?
Every team participating in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup is guaranteed a minimum of USD 250,000 (approximately ₹2.2 crore) just for group stage participation, with additional bonuses for wins.
How much has the prize money increased from the 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup?
The total prize money has increased by 297% from USD 3.5 million in 2022 to USD 13.88 million in 2025, representing almost a four-fold increase in just three years.
