'Defining moment in women's cricket': ICC CEO labels 2025 World Cup a 'social, cultural movement'

The recently concluded Women’s World Cup transcended sport and became a “social and cultural movement,” International Cricket Council (ICC) CEO Sanjog Gupta said at the recent meeting of the governing body in Dubai.

India lifted the 2025 Women's World Cup which broke all previous viewership and attendance records. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side defeated South Africa in the final in Navi Mumbai on November 2 as Indian women won their first ever ICC trophy.

Sanjog Gupta hails watershed moment in women’s cricket

Gupta said that the tone for the tournament was set by the announcement of increase prize money for the winners.

“This World Cup transcended sport to become a social and cultural movement. The record USD 13.88 million prize money — the highest ever for women’s cricket and a significant leap from previous editions — set the tone for the tournament,” the ICC CEO said.

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Gupta also noted that even before the knockouts, attendance records were all shattered. He said that the unprecedented viewership and engagement for the World Cup was a defining moment for women’s cricket.

“While we await final numbers, even before the semi-finals, three stadium attendance records had already been broken. With record viewership across platforms and unprecedented engagement, this World Cup marks a defining moment for women’s cricket. The momentum built here in India will redefine how the world sees and celebrates women’s sport,” Gupta added.

“Nearly 300,000 fans watched the event in stadia breaking the record for tournament attendance for any women’s cricket event. The tournament also witnessed viewership growth and new records being set for on-screen audiences across the world with nearly 500 million viewers in India,” an ICC press release had earlier stated.

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ICC will work to make women’s cricket accessible

The ICC CEO also said that the body will work towards making the game accessible for girls all around the world.

“The next phase of growth will be driven by deeper accessibility, equal investment, and technology-led inclusion. What we’re building is a sustainable ecosystem that ensures every girl, anywhere in the world, can see herself in the game. The future of women’s cricket isn’t about catching up — it’s about leading the evolution of sport itself,” Gupta concluded.