In March, the ECB brought together a star-studded night to celebrate the people who are helping to grow women’s cricket across England and Wales. Leaders of the sport and beyond were in attendance to celebrate the state of play and to hype up the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup this year.
Women’s cricket is on the rise, and significantly so. However, the numbers recorded on and off the field are seen as just the beginning. There’s much more that can and will be done to further spur women’s cricket upwards, including with the introduction of new competitions and ways for fans to become more engaged.
Generating More Engagement Options
The on-field product is increasingly proving to be a strong seller to crowds. However, there are more ways to get people through the gate to get hooked on the action and follow the storylines of the sport. One approach could be to introduce promotions for members and attendees akin to the Betfair Casino promotions.
Promotions here span two phases for newcomers, along with jackpots that users can try their luck on for free every day. The welcome offer is 50 free spins to those who sign up, and then another 50 for anyone who deposits £10 to play. Then, by coming back each day, players can have a free daily shot at Prize Pinball Jackpot.
Someone who signs up to a membership program for professional women’s cricket – domestic, international, or otherwise – could receive a discount on their first tickets. Then, add another discount for their second ticket buy. From there, using a news app daily to stay in touch with the sport could also give a shot at further rewards.
Beyond new promos for players, you could look to the rise of fantasy gaming in major competitions. Indian Premier League fantasy commands 61 million users. It treads the line between skill and gambling, which is why it can operate in India, but offers another way to engage with the sport.
A women’s World Cup fantasy game could also do well if big prizes are on the line. It’s another way to get invested beyond going to matches, watching highlights, and reading news pieces. Of course, some competitions have made going to games as accessible as possible. The Hundred’s £14 tickets for adults greatly lowered the bar for entry.
Keep the Momentum Going
The English Cricket Board conference that took place in March boasted a very celebratory mood. Everyone was proud of how far women’s cricket had become a centrepiece sporting fixture in such a short period of time. With the 2026 T20 World Cup taking place in England and Wales, there’s another opportunity to spur growth.
Already, the numbers are going in the right direction. Cricket, as a whole, has been growing, with the 2024/25 season seeing 42,000 teams competing, up 2,000 in one year. The women’s game saw an 18 per cent growth within those numbers.
The number of clubs with a women’s section also increased, this time from 1,324 to 1,539 in that season. That ECB report also notes that, by September 2025, the season had already welcomed 550 new women’s teams. The Board looks to capitalise on this influx of interest with a new One-Day Cup for the domestic game to further development.
From viewership to participation, women’s cricket in England and Wales is on the rise, and the World Cup on home soil will only further propel the game’s already encouraging numbers.
Loves all things female cricket