Will to Win campaign launched by ICC ahead of ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 celebrates female cricketers’ journeys, affordable tickets, and India-Sri Lanka co-hosting details.
ICC Launches “Will to Win” Campaign Ahead of Women’s World Cup 2025
Spotlighting Women’s Journeys from Grassroots to Glory
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially rolled out its flagship campaign “Will to Win” in anticipation of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. The campaign centres on celebrating the determination, belief, and transformation that define women’s cricket. It seeks to trace the journey of several star players from their early beginnings to the global stage.
Players Featured and Themes Explored
The campaign features prominent cricketers like India’s Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu, Australia’s Ellyse Perry, South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp, Pakistan’s Muneeba Ali, Bangladesh’s Nigar Sultana Joty, New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr, and England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt. Through stylised visuals, real footage, and emotional storytelling, the film highlights not just their on-field successes but also the sacrifices, challenges, and resilience that helped shape their journeys.
Ticketing Strategy and Fan Engagement
To ensure maximum outreach and fan engagement, the ICC has introduced record low ticket prices for league matches in India, with tickets starting at just INR 100 (approx. USD 1.14) for certain matches. The general window for ticket sales is now open through tickets.cricketworldcup.com. This effort aims to fill stadiums and make the event accessible to cricket fans from all walks of life.
Tournament Details: Hosts, Venues & Format
The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 is scheduled from 30 September to 2 November 2025, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Matches will be played across five venues: DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai; ACA Stadium, Guwahati; Holkar Stadium, Indore; ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam; and R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.Eight top women’s cricket teams from around the world will compete.
Messaging and Purpose: More Than Just Cricket
“Will to Win” is more than a promotional campaign; it is framed as a narrative of empowerment. The messaging underscores that greatness emerges from perseverance, belief, and overcoming obstacles. It ties into India’s return as host after a 12-year gap, highlighting the evolution of women’s cricket in the country and globally. ICC Chairman Jay Shah has emphasised that this campaign pays tribute to the sacrifices and aspirations that are part of every women cricketer’s journey.
Why This News is Important
Impact on Gender Equality in Sport
The “Will to Win” campaign pushes forward the narrative of women’s sports not being secondary or less visible. By highlighting female athletes’ journeys, ICC is reinforcing that women deserve equal recognition, support, and opportunity. Especially with symbolic steps such as low ticket prices, more accessible matches, and storytelling around challenges, this signals a shift toward more inclusive sporting culture.
Strategic Importance for India & Global Audiences
India hosting the Women’s World Cup after a 12-year interval is a landmark event. The campaign’s launch in this context reinforces India’s growing influence in women’s cricket and its ability to drive fan engagement, commercial interest, and grassroots participation. Globally, the campaign aims to reach beyond traditional cricket fans, inspiring new audiences through the human stories behind the sport.
Relevance for Exam Aspirants
For students preparing for government exams (teachers, police, civil services, banking, railways, etc.), this news touches on multiple themes: gender equality, sports diplomacy, international relations, media & communications, cultural change, national image, and policy. It also reflects how international bodies and governments can use sports as soft power, an aspect often asked in General Studies.
Historical Context
Growth of Women’s Cricket & Precedents
Women’s cricket has seen a gradual but noteworthy evolution globally. Earlier editions of the Women’s World Cup (1973 onwards) had limited visibility, lower prize money, and fewer participating teams. Over time, expansions in format, media coverage, and institutional support have increased.
India as a Host & Role-Model
India has previously hosted Women’s World Cups in 1978, 1997, and 2013, with increasing infrastructure capacity each time. Between 2013 and 2025, women’s cricket in India has grown in terms of crowds, sponsorship, and media consumption.
Prior Campaigns & Commercializing Women’s Sport
“Will to Win” follows trends of branding and marketing strategies that foreground stories of resilience, identity, and empowerment in sport. Similar strategies have been used in other major tournaments to attract broader audiences. These campaigns often leverage digital media, emotional branding, celebrity endorsements, and low-barrier fan access to amplify outreach.
Key Takeaways from “Will to Win” Campaign
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | The ICC has launched the “Will to Win” campaign ahead of the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 to celebrate women cricketers’ journeys involving sacrifice and perseverance. |
| 2 | Featured players include Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Ellyse Perry, Chamari Athapaththu, Marizanne Kapp, Muneeba Ali, Nigar Sultana Joty, Amelia Kerr, Nat Sciver-Brunt. |
| 3 | Tickets for all league matches in India have been made more affordable, starting at INR 100, to promote attendance and inclusivity. |
| 4 | The tournament will be held from 30 Sept to 2 Nov 2025, across five stadiums in India and Sri Lanka. Eight teams will compete. |
| 5 | The “Will to Win” campaign is not just promotional—it is part of ICC’s larger goal to enhance women’s cricket globally by using emotionally driven storytelling, highlighting resilience, and making the sport more accessible. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the “Will to Win” campaign?
The “Will to Win” campaign is ICC’s flagship initiative to promote the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, highlighting women cricketers’ journeys, resilience, and determination.
2. When and where will the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 be held?
The tournament is scheduled from 30 September to 2 November 2025 and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, across five stadiums.
3. Which players are featured in the campaign?
The campaign features notable cricketers including Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Ellyse Perry, Chamari Athapaththu, Marizanne Kapp, Muneeba Ali, Nigar Sultana Joty, Amelia Kerr, and Nat Sciver-Brunt.
4. How affordable are the tickets for the matches in India?
Tickets for league matches in India have been made affordable starting at INR 100, encouraging wider attendance and fan engagement.
5. Why is the campaign significant for students preparing for government exams?
It covers themes like gender equality in sports, international events, India’s hosting role, cultural diplomacy, and sports governance—topics relevant for General Studies, GS Paper 1, and current affairs sections.
6. How many teams will participate in the Women’s World Cup 2025?
Eight top international women’s cricket teams will compete in the tournament.
7. What is the main message of the campaign?
The campaign emphasizes perseverance, belief, sacrifice, and empowerment of women athletes, beyond just winning cricket matches.
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