The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 generated 471 million viewing hours across 33 matches, the most-watched edition of the tournament ever, according to the International Cricket Council. The figure was 156 percent higher than the 184 million recorded in 2024, and the governing body reported records across attendance, engagement and impact.
India matches drive the global numbers
India and Pakistan’s group-stage match in Birmingham drew more than 77 million viewing hours globally, with current indications suggesting it is the most-watched women’s T20 match ever. Three other fixtures involving India also featured prominently: Australia vs India recorded 54 million viewing hours, South Africa vs India 51 million and Bangladesh vs India 42 million.
Record crowds and a landmark final at Lord’s
A total of 245,815 spectators attended across 25 matchdays, more than 100,000 above the previous ICC Women’s T20 World Cup attendance record. The final at Lord’s drew 28,887 people, setting a record for the largest women’s cricket crowd in the United Kingdom.
Sky Sports viewing in England
On Sky Sports, the tournament became the most-watched ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, with 18.2 million viewing hours. England matches averaged 381,000 viewers, a 69 percent increase, while the final reached 678,000.
Economic and social impact
An independent Nielsen assessment found $93.8 million in impact for the United Kingdom, including direct and secondary economic impact and media value for host cities. More than 13,000 full- and part-time roles were generated or supported in the UK.
Nielsen research also examined social impact. Among 500 parents of girls aged 7-15, 81 percent said the tournament helped change the perception that cricket is only a sport for men; among 500 women aged 16-30 surveyed, 73 percent agreed. On participation, 81 percent of parents of young girls said the tournament increased their daughter’s interest in joining a cricket club or academy, while 80 percent believed it would have a positive impact on women’s sport in England.
Digital reach and creator output
Tournament content generated 3.2 billion views across ICC digital platforms, a near 250 percent increase on the previous edition. The ICC Creator Club brought together more than 80 creators from nine countries, producing more than 2,000 posts, 1.1 billion-plus views and 50 million engagements. The JioStar-ICC content creator stream contributed 600 million views.
‘A platform for what comes next’
ICC Chairman Jay Shah said: “The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 has made a powerful statement about the future of the women’s game. This tournament delivered record crowds, viewership, reach and engagement, and demonstrated what is possible when women’s cricket is given the platform, investment and belief it deserves.”
Shah praised the players, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Members, broadcasters, commercial partners, ICC staff and volunteers.
ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta highlighted nearly 250,000 in-stadia attendees, almost 500 million global viewing hours and more than four billion digital video views. He said: “We deliberately widened access to the event across platforms, cultures, languages, interest segments and markets, combining world-class broadcast coverage with free streaming, digital-first distribution, creator-led storytelling, pop culture plug-ins and new ways for fans to interact with the game.
“ICC events must continue to serve as platforms that deepen and widen fandom, elevate our athletes and create cultural, commercial and social impact around the game.”
Shah added: “This is not the end point of our ambition; it is the platform for what comes next. The ICC will continue to invest in women’s cricket, expand opportunity, strengthen pathways and take the game to more fans, more communities and more markets around the world. The success of this tournament gives us even greater confidence in the future we are building.”
