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ICC women’s cricket
The world events that decide champions – and the pathways that bring new nations to them.
The major ICC women’s events
Women’s Cricket World Cup – the 50-over world championship, first played in 1973.
Women’s T20 World Cup – the 20-over world championship, played since 2009 and expanded to 12 teams in 2026.
U19 Women’s T20 World Cup – the youth world championship, first held in 2023.
ICC Women’s Championship – the ODI league in which bilateral series earn points towards World Cup qualification.
Regional qualifiers give associate members a route to the main events, and the ICC continues to add competitions for emerging nations.
Questions and answers
When did the ICC take over women’s cricket?
The International Women’s Cricket Council merged with the ICC in 2005, bringing women’s international cricket under the same governing body as the men’s game.
How do teams qualify for the Women’s World Cup?
Through the ICC Women’s Championship standings and a qualifying tournament for the remaining places.
About ICC women’s cricket
The International Cricket Council has governed women’s international cricket since 2005, when the International Women’s Cricket Council merged with it. Since then the women’s game has gained global tournaments, a ranking system and pathways for new nations.
The global events
The Women’s Cricket World Cup (50 overs) is held every four years and the Women’s T20 World Cup every two. The U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, first played in 2023, showcases the next generation.
Qualification pathways
The ICC Women’s Championship links bilateral ODI series to World Cup qualification. Associate members compete in regional qualifiers that lead to global qualifying events and, for the best, the World Cups themselves.
Growth of the game
All ICC members have women’s T20I status, which means matches between any two members count as official internationals – a key reason for the rapid growth of associate cricket.