ICC Announces Major Expansion of Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy in 2026

ICC Announces Game-Changing Expansion for Women’s Cricket

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken a decisive step toward the global growth of women’s cricket with the expansion of the Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy. Under the leadership of ICC Chairman Jay Shah, the governing body has announced that the 2026 edition of the tournament will feature 10 teams—doubling opportunities for associate and emerging cricketing nations.

Expanded Tournament Lineup for 2026

Scheduled for November 2026, the expanded Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy will include five associate members and five full ICC member nations. The participating teams are:

• Associate Nations: Netherlands, Scotland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Papua New Guinea (PNG)
• Test-Playing Nations: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Ireland

This landmark expansion was confirmed during the ICC’s online Chief Executives Committee meeting, signaling a strategic push to strengthen the competitive pipeline in women’s cricket.

A Growing Global Platform

The growth of women’s cricket over the past decade has been undeniable. The 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, shattered viewership records and demonstrated the sport’s rising global appeal. Broadcast audiences surged, underscoring strong fan engagement and commercial potential.

That success has directly influenced the ICC’s strategy. The prize purse for the 2025 Women’s World Cup reached a record $13.88 million—297% higher than the 2022 edition and even surpassing the prize pool of the 2023 Men’s World Cup. This financial milestone reflects a shift in investment priorities.

Revenue Goals and Long-Term Vision

Capitalizing on this momentum, the ICC has set an ambitious target: to generate at least $100 million in revenue from women’s cricket events over the coming years. The expanded Emerging Nations Trophy is a key pillar of this plan, designed to increase match volume, media exposure, and sponsorship interest across developing cricket regions.

Greater participation from full-member teams like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Ireland will also elevate the competition’s quality and visibility, providing crucial development opportunities for emerging squads.

Building on Past Success

The inaugural Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy was held in Bangkok from November 20 to 30 last year. Featuring eight teams—including hosts Thailand, Scotland, Netherlands, UAE, PNG, Namibia, Uganda, and Tanzania—the tournament showcased promising talent across the associate circuit.

Thailand, Scotland, UAE, and Netherlands reached the semifinals, with Thailand eventually crowned champions based on net run rate after finishing level on points. The event served as a springboard for wider reforms, highlighting the readiness of associate nations to compete on a structured international stage.

Looking Ahead: No Men’s Cricket Restructuring for Now

Notably, the recent ICC meeting focused solely on women’s cricket development. Longstanding proposals for reforming the Men’s World Test Championship (WTC) and implementing a two-tier Test system were deferred to the ICC Board.

These discussions are expected to resume at the upcoming ICC meeting in Ahmedabad on May 30, where cricket board delegates will convene for broader governance talks.

For now, the spotlight remains firmly on women’s cricket—marking a new era of equity, opportunity, and global ambition in the sport.