ICC Announces Equal Prize Money for Men and Women in Historic T20 World Cup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has achieved a landmark moment by introducing equal prize money for men and women in its global T20 World Cup tournaments, beginning with the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. The decision to equalise the prize pool was taken at the ICC Annual Conference in July 2023, seven years ahead of the council’s original 2030 target. This move makes cricket the only major team sport to implement equal prize money for its World Cup events.

The total prize pool for the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be US$7.96 million, a staggering 225% increase from the previous edition. The winning team will receive US$2.34 million, up from the US$1 million awarded to Australia in 2023, while the runners-up will secure US$1.17 million, doubling the amount awarded in 2023.

Teams will now receive equal prize money for the equivalent finishing position at comparable events as well as the same amount for winning a match at those events. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 event prize money is only higher on account of 10 additional teams participating and 32 more matches played.

For teams not advancing beyond the group stages, the prize money has also seen substantial growth. Each win during the group stages will earn teams US$31,154, with a pool of US$1.35 million allocated to the six teams that do not reach the semi-finals, significantly up from last year’s US$180,000. The ten participating teams are guaranteed at least US$112,500 each.

The tournament kicks off on 3 October at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, with Bangladesh taking on Scotland.

Key Financial Breakdown:

• Total Prize Pool: US$7.96 million (up 225% from 2023)
• Winners: US$2.34 million
• Runners-up: US$1.17 million
• Semi-finalists: US$675,000 each
• Group Stage Wins: US$31,154 per win

This bold step by the ICC sets a precedent not only for cricket but for the broader sports industry, where gender pay disparity continues to be a major issue.

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