Now, the ICC has announced a major development — expanding the next Women’s World Cup to include 10 teams instead of eight, starting from the 2029 edition.
ICC aims for a bigger, more inclusive World Cup
The recently concluded Women’s ODI World Cup — co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka — turned out to be the biggest and most followed edition in history. Indian fans witnessed a dream come true as Harmanpreet Kaur’s side defeated South Africa Women by 52 runs in the final to claim their first-ever global title.
Inspired by the passion of fans, the rise in viewership, and the growing competitiveness of women’s cricket, the ICC decided to take the next big step.
“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 global body said in a statement.
The move, while seemingly small, is a huge step forward for women’s cricket — giving emerging nations a chance to showcase their talent on the world stage and further grow the game globally.
Record-breaking support for women’s cricket
The 2025 Women’s World Cup was not just historic on the field but off it as well. In India, where cricket is a way of life, the tournament smashed multiple records. Over 500 million fans tuned in to watch the matches, while nearly 300,000 spectators attended games in person — the highest ever for a women’s cricket event.
“Nearly 300,000 fans watched the event in stadia, breaking the record for tournament attendance for any women’s cricket event. The tournament also witnessed viewership growth across the world, with nearly 500 million viewers in India,” ICC said.
In addition, the ICC announced new appointments to its Women’s Cricket Committee, welcoming legends like Mithali Raj, Charlotte Edwards, and Ashley de Silva, who will help shape the future direction of the women’s game.
With the sport reaching new heights, the expanded 2029 Women’s World Cup promises to be a landmark event in the evolution of women’s cricket.
