The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially confirmed the expansion of the Women’s World Cup 2029 to ten teams, signaling a landmark moment in the growth of women’s cricket. The next edition will feature 48 matches, compared to 31 games played in the 2025 tournament, which India memorably won for the first time.
The decision reflects the ICC’s long-term vision to strengthen global participation and competitiveness in women’s cricket. After record-breaking attendance and viewership numbers in the 2025 edition, the governing body is “keen to build on the success” and widen the sport’s reach ahead of the next cycle.
A Step Toward Global Expansion of Women’s Cricket
The 2029 edition marks the first time since 2000 that more than eight teams will compete in the Women’s ODI World Cup. This expansion not only gives more nations the opportunity to play at the top level but also increases exposure, development, and investment across emerging cricket nations.
The ICC’s statement noted that the previous tournament saw nearly 300,000 fans attend matches, setting a record for any women’s cricket event. Furthermore, global viewership soared, with over 500 million viewers from India alone. This unprecedented engagement proved that women’s cricket has evolved into a major sporting attraction capable of captivating audiences worldwide.
From Eight to Ten Teams — A Milestone in Inclusivity
This shift to a ten-team format ensures more nations will have the chance to qualify, compete, and inspire the next generation. The ICC’s inclusion policy aligns with its “100% Cricket” vision, which aims to create equality in opportunities and representation within the sport.
By adding 17 extra matches, the format also ensures every team gets more exposure on the global stage, allowing for competitive balance and fairer qualification pathways. The decision will likely spark interest in countries like Thailand, Ireland, and Papua New Guinea, which have shown potential in recent qualifiers.
ICC Confirms Women’s T20 World Cup Expansion
In addition to the ODI expansion, the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will also grow to 12 teams, up from 10 in the last edition. This decision emphasizes the ICC’s continued focus on the shorter format, which has played a major role in growing the sport’s popularity.
The upcoming T20 event will see more global representation, encouraging fresh rivalries and introducing new fan bases to women’s cricket. With record-breaking broadcasting reach and increased sponsorship interest, the future of the women’s T20 circuit looks brighter than ever.
Women’s Cricket Committee Strengthened with Iconic Names
The ICC also ratified the inclusion of several notable figures in the Women’s Cricket Committee, including Mithali Raj, Charlotte Edwards, Ben Sawyer, Amol Muzumdar, and Ashley De Silva. These additions bring a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives to guide the sport’s future.
Each member brings unique insight into coaching, administration, and player development, further ensuring that the expansion comes with strategic planning and support. This committee will play a crucial role in overseeing tournaments, player welfare, and policy decisions related to women’s cricket globally.
Cricket’s Olympic Journey: LA 2028 and Beyond
The ICC also provided fresh updates on cricket’s much-anticipated return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028. The event will feature 28 matches, divided equally across men’s and women’s competitions.
Each event will include six teams — the top-ranked side from every region, including hosts USA, plus one additional qualifier. Matches are scheduled to begin on July 12, 2028, at the new Fairgrounds Stadium near Los Angeles.
This Olympic debut represents a monumental opportunity for cricket’s growth in non-traditional regions. The exposure and global visibility from the Olympics could redefine how cricket is perceived by new audiences and investors worldwide.
The Road to Brisbane 2032 — More Inclusion Ahead
The ICC has also initiated discussions with organizers of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics to include cricket once again. ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta and Chair Jay Shah recently held meetings with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland, to discuss event logistics and qualification frameworks.
If successful, this will mark back-to-back Olympic appearances for cricket — a breakthrough for a sport once limited to select regions. The move aligns perfectly with the ICC’s broader push to globalize cricket and promote gender equality through balanced representation in both formats.
ICC’s Move into Gaming: A Digital Leap Forward
Another major announcement from the ICC meeting was the initiation of a bidding process for an official mobile cricket game. The governing body confirmed it will invite global partners to collaborate on video gaming rights to create “world-class digital fan experiences.”
This comes amid a long-standing dispute with the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) over Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights. The ICC ruled earlier this year that individual member boards will now negotiate directly with players to secure their digital rights. This new model aims to streamline the process and reduce conflict between the ICC and player associations.
The mobile game is expected to combine high-quality gameplay with real-world integration, creating a digital ecosystem for fans to connect with their favorite cricketers. It also signals the ICC’s intent to engage younger audiences and expand cricket’s influence in the global gaming market.
NIL Rights and Global Player Representation
The ICC’s new structure gives players more control over their NIL rights while allowing member boards to establish fair agreements. Around 600 players currently have rights managed by the WCA, but now several boards are working independently to finalize digital agreements.
This evolution is significant as it strengthens players’ commercial influence and ensures fair compensation for their likeness in gaming and digital platforms. For fans, it means more authentic, interactive, and inclusive cricket experiences.
Conclusion: A Transformative Era for Women’s and Global Cricket
The Women’s World Cup 2029 expansion is more than just a numbers game — it is a declaration of intent. The ICC’s decisions reflect a wider push toward inclusivity, modernization, and digital transformation in cricket.
With women’s cricket breaking attendance and viewership records, Olympic inclusion on the horizon, and gaming ventures opening new engagement frontiers, the sport is clearly entering a new era. As India’s 2025 triumph inspired millions, the 2029 edition promises to take that legacy global — giving every aspiring girl a reason to dream bigger.
