For decades, women’s sports were dismissed with the same tired excuse: they don’t generate enough revenue. But the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 is proving otherwise.
The revenue gap in women’s sports creates a significant financial disparity. It affects the prize money, salaries, sponsorships, and the overall market value of the game. For years, whenever the question of gender disparity in sports came up, the excuse was always the same: women’s sports don’t bring in the revenue that men’s sports do. However, that excuse no longer works because women’s sports are proving otherwise.
The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 is set to record historic commercial success. The advertising revenue is expected to rise by 70%, primarily due to the success of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and the recent rationalisation of GST slabs. The tournament’s return to India after 12 years has built strong interest from broadcasters, with India–Pakistan matches commanding a 40% premium. Sponsorship deals have climbed as high as ₹35 crore, and OTT platforms anticipate an 80% spike in viewership.
Record commercial success, revenue growth & sponsorship valuations ahead of ICC Women’s World Cup 2025
The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 kicked off on September 30 with India facing co-hosts Sri Lanka. The opening ceremony in Guwahati made history when 22,843 fans filled the stands for the first match, setting a new record for group-stage attendance at a Women’s World Cup. The previous record was 15,935 during the India–Pakistan match in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup. This edition is already poised to become the most commercially successful tournament in women’s cricket.
Ad rates and sponsorship deals hit new highs
Title sponsorships for the World Cup range between ₹25–35 crore. At the same time, co-sponsorship deals close between ₹10–15 crore. Television ad slots have seen a profitable rise. Rates for 10-second ads range between ₹1.5–2 lakh. However, India-specific matches increase the figure to ₹3–3.5 lakh.
Compared to the 2022 edition, ad rates have increased by 10–15% across all platforms. It reflects both higher viewership and increased demand from advertisers. The advertiser demand in categories such as paints, home décor, FMCG, jewellery, and e-commerce led to 70–75% of ad slots for the India matches being sold out before the tournament began.
For India matches, TV ad spots are priced 25–40% higher than in 2022, averaging ₹2–3 lakh per 10 seconds. JioStar is the official broadcaster and streaming partner.
On OTT platforms, ad rates range from ₹400 to ₹ 500 CPM (cost per thousand impressions). Mobile CPMs have surged 30–50%, while Connected TV (CTV) CPMs have jumped 40–60%. India–Pakistan matches are expected to have a 25–35% premium on TV and a 30–40% hike on CTV and OTT.
Biggest prize money in women’s cricket history
The 13th edition of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 is ensuring players receive prize money that genuinely reflects their efforts. For the first time, the prize money feels fair. The tournament carries a record pool of $13.88 million (over ₹123 crore), the biggest in women’s cricket history.
The winners will walk away with $4.48 million (nearly ₹40 crore), a jump from the $1.32 million (₹12 crore) Australia received in 2022. The runners-up will earn $2.24 million (₹20 crore). That is a fourfold increase from the $600,000 (₹5.2 crore) awarded to England three years ago. Even semi-finalists won’t leave empty-handed either, each earning $1.12 million (₹10 crore), compared to just $300,000 (₹2.6 crore) in the last edition.
The group stage payouts also show some positive changes. Every team is guaranteed $250,000 (₹2.2 crore), with each win adding $34,314 (₹30 lakh) to their total. Teams finishing 5th and 6th will receive $700,000 (₹6.2 crore), while the 7th and 8th placed teams will still earn $280,000 (₹2.48 crore).
Women’s sports are finally getting the attention, respect, and rewards they deserve. Players are being recognised properly, and the tournament is being valued like a major event, not something secondary to men’s cricket.
The final thoughts: Time to retire the ‘No Revenue’ excuse
It is high time that the persistent “no revenue” argument in women’s sports is put firmly to rest. The commercial success of ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 proves that, with the right investment, marketing, and infrastructure, women’s sports can generate significant returns, both financially and in terms of audience engagement.
Prize money has reached record levels, sponsors are committing crores, and audiences are proving that there is a huge market for women’s sports. Women’s sports can be commercially successful when given the chance.
Changeincontent perspective
At Changeincontent, we believe the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 has sent a clear message: excuses no longer hold. The myth of “no revenue” has been shattered. What women’s sports need is not patience, but parity. It is parity in investment, visibility, and respect. When given equal opportunity, women’s cricket shows the world that it can match and even surpass expectations.
The future of sports is not men’s vs women’s — it is equal.
Related Article: “It’s a Revenue Issue”: The excuse that holds back women in sports.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on the writer’s insights, supported by data and resources available both online and offline, as applicable. Changeincontent.com is committed to promoting inclusivity across all forms of content. We broadly define inclusivity as media, policies, law, and history. It encompasses all elements that influence the lives of women and marginalised individuals. Our goal is to promote understanding and advocate for comprehensive inclusivity.
