ECB Announces New Structure for Women’s Domestic Cricket from 2025-2028
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a groundbreaking new structure for women’s domestic cricket that will revolutionize the game from 2025 to 2028. The new ‘three-tier model’ will see no promotion or relegation, with eight counties granted ‘Tier 1’ status and increased investment in the women’s game.
Unfortunately, Yorkshire will have to wait until 2027 to participate in the Tier 1 revamp, as eight other counties have been selected to lead the way. Durham, Essex, Hampshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, Surrey, and Warwickshire have been chosen as hosts, aligning with the first-class counties and abolishing the existing regional structure.
While this news may be disappointing for Yorkshire, they have been promised entry into an expanded competition in the third season, along with Glamorgan. Both counties will receive additional funding to strengthen their pathway in women’s cricket.
The ECB has also expressed its desire to expand Tier 1 to 12 teams by 2029, with plans for further growth in the future. First-class counties not awarded Tier 1 status and national counties will have the opportunity to be part of the process to determine teams for Tier 2 and 3, with announcements expected in September.
The new structure aims to increase the number of professional female players by 80% by 2029, with an additional £3m per year committed to women’s domestic cricket. This will bring the total annual investment in the women’s game to £19m by 2027.
ECB CEO Richard Gould praised the commitment of the counties to women’s cricket, emphasizing the importance of creating more opportunities for women in the sport. England cricketer Kate Cross also highlighted the significance of the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics for increasing global visibility.
Overall, the new structure promises to provide long-term stability, visibility, and commercial opportunities for women’s cricket, setting the stage for an exciting future for the game.