AusLeisure

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has claimed that the Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 was one of the most-watched women’s sporting events in history.

From its opening fixture at the Sydney Showground Stadium on 21st February through to the final at the MCG on International Women’s Day, 8th March - with both fixtures contested by Australia and India - the seventh edition of the tournament was a milestone event for women's sport.

Much of the record viewing figures were due to the success of the Indian women’s team in making it to the final, with their presence boosting global audience interest, with total worldwide viewership for the knockout stages more than 400% higher than for the 2018 edition.

According to the ICC, India’s live viewing hours were 86.15 million, which represents a 152% increase over the comparable figures for the 2018 tournament, driven by the Indian team’s success and the broadcast of select India matches by Star Sports in five languages (English, Hindi, Tamil, Telegu and Kannada) across the sub-continent.

Hosts and tournament winners Australia’s live viewing hours were 13.45 million - 473% higher than the 2018 tournament - driven by their hosting and an increase in coverage on the free-to-air channels.

The final recorded an average audience of 1.2 million viewers, making it the most-watched women’s cricket match in Australian broadcast history.

South Africa recorded 647,000 live viewing hours, 40% higher than 2018. In the UK, despite the time difference, live viewing hours were only 8% lower (at 5.32 million) than the 2018 tournament, where England made it to the final.

Commenting on the success of the event, ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney stated “we are delighted with these outstanding global viewership numbers that demonstrate the power of women’s cricket to attract huge audiences across the globe.

“It reinforces our belief that there is a significant opportunity around the women’s game and collectively we must promote it further so more fans can enjoy it, more kids are inspired by it and sponsors and broadcasters want to be a part of it.”

The event was held immediately before Coronavirus shutdowns impacted nations around the world.

The Men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to run from 18th October to 15th November although there is uncertainty as to whether it will be held.

In addition to the Sydney Showground Stadium and MCG, venues used during the tournament included the WACA in Perth, Manuka Oval in Canberra, Junction Oval in Melbourne and the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The delivery of the audio-visual technology for the opening of the Women’s T20 World Cup at the Sydney Showground Stadium is the subject of a feature in the next issue of Australasian Leisure Management.

Image: The opening of the Women’s T20 World Cup at the Sydney Showground Stadium. Courtesy of The P.A. People.

Related Articles

18th June 2020 - Border tensions sees IPL under pressure to drop Chinese sponsor

27th May 2020 - Cricket Australia’s cost cutting raises concerns over future of the game

22nd May 2020 - Sri Lankan Prime Minister halts plans for new Colombo cricket stadium

20th May 2020 - Global sports sponsorship market predicted to fall by 37% this year

19th May 2020 - Quality of Eden Park’s playing surface recognised by New Zealand Cricket

1st May 2020 - Coronavirus has multi-billion dollar negative impact on global sport

16th April 2020 - Extended Indian Coronavirus restrictions sees IPL indefinitely postponed

9th April 2020 - Coronavirus pandemic halts Pakistani cricket

8th March 2020 - MCG hosts T20 Women’s World Cup Final on International Women’s Day

28th February 2020 - The P.A. People support ICC Women’s T20 opening at Sydney Showground

28th January 2020 - Techfront Australia appointed by ICC T20 World Cup 2020 to deliver sports technology

23rd January 2020 - Eden Park set to host ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021

22nd December 2019 - ICC continues partnership with UNICEF for Women’s T20 World Cup 2020

15th December 2019 - Cricket welcomes Federal Government funding towards the WACA Ground

15th October 2019 - Cricket Australia makes commitment to Women’s T20 World Cup pay parity

11th October 2019 - Cricket Australia reveals ‘game changing’ maternity leave policy for players

2nd September 2019 - ICC T20 World Cup 2020 launches national schools program

3rd March 2018 - Victorian Cricket’s new home opens at Junction Oval

16th June 2017 - Singapore Sports Hub Chief Executive resigns following criticisms over management style

---

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.