The ICC has confirmed that the Women’s World Cup 2029 and cricket in Olympics will both play major roles in the global expansion of the game. The next Women’s ODI World Cup will feature ten teams for the first time in history, underlining the board’s growing commitment to women’s cricket.
ICC Expands Women’s World Cup Format
The Women’s World Cup 2029 will see ten teams compete across 48 matches, up from the 31 games in 2025. The decision follows record-breaking success in the last edition, which drew nearly 300,000 spectators in stadiums and over 500 million viewers worldwide.
According to the ICC, this expansion marks a crucial step in making women’s cricket more competitive and inclusive. The Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will also feature 12 teams, ensuring more opportunities for developing cricket nations.
Additionally, the ICC has appointed Mithali Raj, Ashley De Silva, Charlotte Edwards, and Ben Sawyer to its Women’s Cricket Committee, further strengthening its leadership focus on the women’s game.
Cricket Confirmed for LA 2028 Olympics
Cricket will make a historic return at the LA 2028 Olympics, featuring six men’s and six women’s teams. The top-ranked sides from five regions — Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas — will automatically qualify, while one team will earn its place through a global qualifier.
The matches will be held at Fairgrounds Stadium near Los Angeles, starting July 12, 2028. This announcement comes as the ICC continues discussions with organizers for cricket’s inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta confirmed that talks with the IOC and Brisbane 2032 committee have been “constructive and ongoing.”
ICC to Launch Official Mobile Cricket Game
The ICC has also begun a global bidding process for a new mobile cricket gaming project. The goal is to create an authentic digital cricket experience through collaborations with major developers.
However, discussions continue around player NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rights, which previously caused disputes with the World Cricketers’ Association. To resolve the issue, the ICC has asked national boards to secure NIL rights directly from their players.
