The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled a series of strategic initiatives to accelerate the global growth of cricket, enhance women’s participation, and reinforce its long-term development goals. The ICC reaffirmed its strong commitment to women’s cricket after the resounding success of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 held in India.
Nearly 300,000 fans attended matches, while 500 million viewers tuned in from India, marking it the most-watched women’s cricket event ever. Encouraged by this success, the ICC Board has approved an expansion of the next Women’s World Cup to 10 teams, up from eight in 2025.
Cricket to Feature in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games
The ICC continues to collaborate with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics (LA28). Both men’s and women’s T20 events will feature six teams each, totaling 28 matches in the Olympic competition.
Cricket’s Growing Presence in Global Multi-Sport Events
Cricket will also be featured in several major multi-sport events before 2028, including: Asian Games 2026 – Aichi–Nagoya, Japan, African Games 2027 – Cairo, Egypt, PanAm Games 2027 – Lima, Peru (marking cricket’s debut)
This move ensures more countries get to participate and grow in the global cricket ecosystem
ICC Expands Digital Reach Through Gaming and AI Innovation
To strengthen fan engagement, the ICC will launch an Invitation to Tender (ITT) for Video Gaming Rights, inviting global partners to create immersive cricket gaming experiences. Additionally, the ICC will explore AI-driven data projects to improve fan engagement, analytics, and commercial opportunities for member nations. This step aims to unlock new digital growth streams and deepen fan understanding worldwide. As part of its fair growth initiative, the ICC Board approved a 10% increase in funding for Associate Member nations in 2026. The additional funds will help developing countries invest in local cricket programs, infrastructure, and performance pathways.
‘Project USA’: Boosting Cricket Development in America
The ICC also reviewed progress on ‘Project USA’, launched after the suspension of USA Cricket. The project focuses on maintaining opportunities for U.S. players and preparing for cricket’s participation in the LA 2028 Olympics, ensuring America remains a key part of global cricket’s future.
New Appointments to ICC Women’s Cricket Committee
The ICC confirmed the appointment of several key members to the Women’s Cricket Committee, including: Ashley De Silva, Mithali Raj, Amol Muzumdar, Ben Sawyer, Charlotte Edwards, and Sala Stella Siale-Vaea.