The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that the Women’s ODI World Cup in 2029 will feature ten teams. The change – approved during the ICC Board meeting in Dubai – expands the tournament from the eight teams that played in 2025. This move is part of the ICC’s push to give emerging nations a chance to compete and to make women’s cricket more global.
The decision comes after India’s dramatic victory in the 2025 final at home. India beat South Africa by 52 runs, and the match drew 185 million viewers on JioHotstar. That audience matched the viewership of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final and exceeded the average daily reach of the IPL. In total, the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup reached 446 million viewers, a record for the women’s game.
The ICC said it was proud of the success of the 2025 tournament, noting that nearly 300,000 fans watched the final in stadiums – the highest attendance ever for a women’s cricket event. “The viewers and the large crowd showed how fast the women’s game is growing,” the ICC statement added. “We’re committed to building on this momentum.”
Because of this record‑setting performance, the ICC Board decided to enlarge the next edition of the World Cup. The panel also confirmed new members for the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee, adding experts from Sri Lanka, India, New Zealand, England, and Samoa to broaden its reach and expertise.
In other news, the ICC announced the first updates on “Project USA.” The project was created after USA Cricket was suspended and aims to protect player development and commercial interests in the United States. The goal is to build a smooth path for U.S. teams to qualify for the upcoming 2028 Los‑Angeles Olympic Games and to keep them involved in ICC events.
Overall, the 2029 Women’s ODI World Cup promises a bigger, more inclusive tournament, backed by record viewership and a growing global fan base. The ICC’s strategic updates show a clear focus on expanding women’s cricket worldwide while supporting national programs in places like the U.S.
Source: ianslive
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