England and Wales Cricket Board announces counties to host professional women’s teams from 2025

In a groundbreaking move for women’s cricket, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the eight counties that will host professional women’s teams as part of a major restructure of the domestic game starting from 2025.

Durham, Essex, Hampshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, Surrey, and Warwickshire have all been awarded Tier 1 status, with Glamorgan and Yorkshire set to join them in 2027 as part of an expansion. The ECB also plans to add two more teams in 2029.

This move will see the eight selected counties replace the regions that have competed in the Charlotte Edwards Cup and Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in recent years. The ECB’s plans include the creation of a three-tiered domestic competition structure, which could lead to an 80% increase in professional women’s players in England and Wales by 2029.

With £8 million of new funding allocated annually for the women’s domestic game by 2027, the total investment is expected to reach around £19 million. Glamorgan and Yorkshire will receive additional funding from 2025 to run their own ‘Tier 1 standard’ talent pathways in preparation for joining the top tier in 2027.

ECB CEO Richard Gould expressed excitement about the growth of women’s cricket, stating, “More professional teams means more women able to make a career out of being a cricketer, more role models to inspire future generations, and more of the country having a women’s professional team to follow nearby.”

The director of women’s professional game, Beth Barrett-Wild, emphasized the unity within the game to push the women’s professional game forward and produce vibrant teams and competitions that excite fans and showcase the quality of professional players.

All 18 first-class counties and the MCC were invited to tender to become a women’s Tier 1 club, with the majority submitting bids. The composition of Tier 2 and Tier 3 will be determined by September 2024, with no promotion or relegation between tiers until 2028. This move marks a significant step forward for women’s cricket in England and Wales, promising a bright future for the sport.