NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – The International Cricket Council said yesterday that it would add two more teams to the one-day and Twenty20 editions of the women’s World Cup from 2026 as part of its plans to expand the women’s game.
The Twenty20 World Cup in 2026 and the subsequent two editions would feature 12 teams, the ICC said in a statement on International Women’s Day. The previous four editions have had 10 teams.
The 50-over World Cup in 2029 would become a 10-team tournament.
“We have a clear focus and commitment to an ambitious long-term growth plan for the women’s game,” said ICC chief executive Manu Sawhney after sharing the post-2023 events cycle.
“We have been building momentum around the women’s game for the past four years investing in broadcasts and global broadcast marketing to stimulate fan engagement.”
The ICC unveiled a six-team T20 Champions Cup tournament for women, which will be held in 2027 and 2031.
The announcement comes just a year since Australia’s Meg Lanning beat India in the Twenty20 World Cup final in front of a record crowd of 86,000 and more in Melbourne.
The tournament in Australia attracted record TV numbers, making it the most watched women’s cricket event ever.
“This decision to expand our women’s events builds on these foundations and allows us more opportunities for more member countries to compete on a global stage,” said Sawhney.
“This means that more teams will also have the opportunity to compete in the qualification routes for appropriate NMW events over the coming years.”
New Zealand is hosting the next ODI World Cup, consisting of eight teams, in 2022. This year’s tournament could not be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.