ICC announces prize pool for T20 World Cup 2026, winners to get INR 21 crore

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a record prize pool of USD 8,764,615 (around ₹81 crore) for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. This is about a 10 per cent increase compared to the 2024 edition, where USD 7,958,077 (around ₹74 crore) was shared among 10 teams in the United Arab Emirates.

The 2026 tournament will be bigger, with 12 teams taking part for the first time. Hosts England will be joined by Australia, Bangladesh, India, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies.

Prize money for winners and runners-up

The winners will once again receive USD 2,340,000 (around ₹19.5 crore), while the runners-up will get USD 1,170,000 (around ₹10.92 crore). Teams that lose in the semi-finals will earn USD 675,000 (around ₹6.30 crore). Each win in the group stage will bring in USD 31,154 (around ₹29.08 lakh). All 12 teams are guaranteed at least USD 247,500 (around ₹2,31,06,476).

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The tournament begins on June 12, with England taking on Sri Lanka at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham. A total of 33 matches will be played across seven venues over 24 days.

ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta

ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta said the rise of women’s cricket has been strong, and expanding the tournament along with increasing prize money shows the ICC’s commitment to making the game more competitive globally. He also highlighted how growing investment and opportunities are helping women’s cricket gain more attention and influence worldwide.

In the lead-up to the tournament, the ICC Trophy Tour has begun and will travel across Europe. It started in London at Lord’s Cricket Ground, where the trophy is being displayed specially, including a projection on the famous pavilion.

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T20 World Cup 2026 trophy tour

The trophy will then visit the Netherlands, Ireland and Scotland before travelling across host cities in England and Wales through May. Fans will get chances to see the trophy at popular locations like Millennium Square in Leeds, St Peter’s Square in Manchester, the Bullring in Birmingham, Cabot Circus in Bristol, Guildhall Square in Southampton, and Trafalgar Square in London.

Tournament Director Beth Barrett-Wild said the 2026 edition is expected to be a landmark event. With record ticket demand and the biggest prize pool ever in women’s T20 cricket, it shows how far the game has come. She added that the trophy tour will help bring the game closer to fans and build excitement ahead of the tournament.

The trophy tour will take place on the following dates:

Scotland: May 7–10
Netherlands: May 11–14
Ireland: May 15–18
Leeds: May 19–24
Manchester: May 25–27
Birmingham: May 28–29
Bristol: May 31–June 1
Southampton: June 3–4
London: June 5–8