The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup has set a new benchmark in global viewership, with over 60 million fans tuning in for the first 13 matches, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on Thursday. The 13th edition of the 50-over tournament is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, featuring eight national teams competing for the prestigious trophy. The final is scheduled for November 2. This edition carries a prize pool of $13.88 million, surpassing previous women’s and even some men’s ODI World Cups, reflecting the growing commercial significance of women’s cricket. The ICC stated, “According to data released jointly by ICC and JioHotstar, the first 13 matches of the tournament have already reached over 60 million viewers, a five-fold increase over the 2022 edition." The India-Pakistan match on October 5 in Colombo emerged as a landmark event, recording 28.4 million viewers, the highest ever for a women’s international fixture. Defending champions Australia are eyeing a record eighth Women’s World Cup, while hosts India aim for their maiden title. Pakistan is playing all fixtures in Colombo under a neutral-venue agreement to allow both teams to compete safely during multi-nation tournaments. Read also: "The only time you fail..." Virat Kohli shared cryptic tweet before Australia ODI series Surge in interest underscores growth of women's cricket The unprecedented viewership demonstrates a global surge in interest and commercial potential for women’s cricket. Streaming platforms, social media engagement, and digital innovations have amplified reach, while stadium attendance and fan interaction have increased across host cities. Analysts note that the combination of high-profile matches, competitive contests, and star players has significantly contributed to audience expansion. ICC officials emphasized that digital engagement through platforms like JioHotstar played a central role in connecting fans worldwide. Early indicators suggest the commercial ecosystem for women’s cricket is strengthening, with sponsorship, advertising, and broadcasting revenues witnessing substantial growth. The first 13 matches of the 2025 CWC thus underscore women’s cricket emerging as a mainstream global spectacle, highlighting both competitive excellence and widespread fan engagement.