The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a significant increase in prize money for the upcoming ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final, with the winners set to receive $3.6 million and the runners-up taking home $2.16 million.
The WTC Final, which will see Australia take on South Africa at Lord’s from 11–15 June, marks the culmination of the 2023–25 cycle and will be played at the iconic venue for the first time. This year’s top prize is more than double the $1.6 million previously awarded to the 2021 and 2023 champions.
Record WTC prize pool unveiled
The ICC’s announcement highlights its commitment to prioritizing Test cricket and building on the momentum generated in the first three editions of the nine-team competition. The total prize pool ensures that even lower-ranked teams are recognized, with Pakistan earning $480,000 for a ninth-place finish.
| Position | Team | Prize money (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Australia/South Africa | $3,600,000 |
| Runners-up | Australia/South Africa | $2,160,000 |
| Third | India | $1,440,000 |
| Fourth | New Zealand | $1,200,000 |
| Fifth | England | $960,000 |
| Sixth | Sri Lanka | $840,000 |
| Seventh | Bangladesh | $720,000 |
| Eighth | West Indies | $600,000 |
| Ninth | Pakistan | $480,000 |
Jay Shah, Cummins, Bavuma reflect on The Ultimate Test
ICC Chair Jay Shah praised the competition and extended best wishes to both finalists:
“We have witnessed a very interesting third cycle of the ICC World Test Championship, where the finalists were decided only towards the end of the competition. I am sure spectators at Lord’s, along with fans tuning in from all over the world, will be treated to some top-class cricket in this revered format.”
Australia captain Pat Cummins highlighted the significance of playing at Lord’s:
“We are enormously proud to have the opportunity to defend the World Test Championship, especially at Lord’s. It’s a testament to all those involved across the past two years who have worked incredibly hard to reach the final.”
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma echoed the excitement:
“We’re really pleased to have made the WTC Final, which is a good opportunity for us to win an ICC title. Everyone understands the importance of Test cricket and the WTC lends context to this vital format of the game.”
WTC promo campaign features cricket legends
To build anticipation for the WTC Final, the ICC has launched a promotional video featuring stars past and present, including Temba Bavuma, Shaun Pollock, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Matthew Hayden, Steve Smith and others. The campaign emphasizes the mental and physical demands of Test cricket, positioning it as the sport’s ultimate challenge.
As part of the final build-up, a captains’ preview event will be broadcast live on 9 June via official ICC broadcast partners, providing fans exclusive insights into both camps before the highly anticipated clash at the home of cricket.
