ICC expands women's ODI World Cup to 10 teams from 2029 edition
The ICC has announced that the Women’s ODI World Cup 2029 will feature 10 teams, expanding from eight after the record-breaking 2025 edition, where India won their first-ever title. The move aims to grow women’s cricket globally following record attendance of 300,000 and nearly 500 million viewers in India.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed a major development for women’s cricket, the 2029 Women’s ODI World Cup will feature 10 teams, up from the traditional eight. The decision was ratified by the ICC Board on Friday (November 7, 2025), marking a significant step toward expanding the game’s global reach and inclusivity.
The announcement follows the hugely successful 2025 Women’s World Cup, which saw India clinch their first-ever global women’s title, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a thrilling final at the Dr DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. The tournament captivated fans across the globe and set multiple records both on and off the field.
According to ICC’s official release, nearly 300,000 fans attended matches in stadiums, making it the highest-attended women’s cricket tournament in history. Moreover, the event drew staggering television and digital audiences, with nearly 500 million viewers in India alone tuning in during the course of the competition.
“The ICC Board, keen to build on the success of the event, agreed to expand the next edition of the tournament to 10 teams (from 8 teams in 2025),” the ICC statement read.
The 2025 edition featured India, South Africa, Australia, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, with India, South Africa, Australia, and England reaching the semi-finals. India’s historic win, the first for any Asian team in the Women’s ODI World Cup, was hailed as a landmark moment in the sport’s evolution.
A Step Toward Global Growth
The expansion to 10 teams aligns with ICC’s broader goal of strengthening women’s cricket worldwide. It paves the way for emerging nations to compete at the highest level and inspires greater investment in domestic women’s programs.
“The uplift in participation will encourage more nations to build stronger women’s structures,” the ICC said, adding that Associate Members will also benefit from a 10% increase in funding in 2026 to aid development and high-performance systems.
ICC Strengthens Olympic and Digital Vision
In addition to the World Cup expansion, the ICC reviewed its collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ahead of cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Both men’s and women’s T20 events will feature six teams each, with a total of 28 matches.
Cricket is also set to appear in the 2026 Asian Games (Japan), the 2027 African Games (Egypt), and for the first time at the 2027 Pan American Games (Peru), further cementing the sport’s place in global multi-sport competitions.
The ICC also announced an Invitation to Tender (ITT) for global Video Gaming Rights, opening doors for cricket-themed digital experiences and AI-powered fan engagement tools, a move aimed at modernizing fan interaction worldwide.
Leadership and Governance Updates
The Board ratified several appointments to the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee, including Mithali Raj, Amol Muzumdar, Charlotte Edwards, Ben Sawyer, and Sala Stella Siale-Vaea. This refreshed panel is expected to guide policy decisions and strategic growth in women’s cricket.
Meanwhile, the ICC received its first update on ‘Project USA’, launched following the suspension of USA Cricket. The initiative ensures that American players’ commercial and developmental interests remain protected while preparing the groundwork for the LA28 Olympics.
A New Era for Women’s Cricket
With record-breaking attendance, skyrocketing viewership, and India’s fairytale triumph, the 2025 Women’s World Cup has redefined the boundaries of women’s cricket. The expansion to 10 teams for 2029 signals a bold new chapter, one that promises greater opportunity, visibility, and global participation. As women’s cricket continues to flourish, the ICC’s decisions reflect a clear message: the future of the game is not only bright, it’s global.
Tags:
