ICC and IMG partner to stream World Cup qualifying

The ICC and IMG have agreed a partnership to live stream qualifying matches for the next three World Cups.

The Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, the Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 and the Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 are all covered by the deal, which runs until April 2023. It will create content for ICC digital channels alongside the streams.

This means that 541 pathway event matches will be broadcast online to fans, including 145 women’s matches and 80 associate member sides. It will be the first time over 50 of those teams have enjoyed global coverage.

For many sides it is also the first time that they are entering an ICC competition. In the Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 qualifying, Bhutan, Botswana, Cameroon, France, Malawi, Myanmar, Philippines, and Turkey are debutants, while for the Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 Hungary, Romania and Serbia are involved for the first time.

ICC chief executive, Manu Sawhney, said: “Associate Members have long identified that broadcasting international cricket would provide a significant opportunity for growth and raise the profile of our sport in non-traditional heartlands and we are excited by the potential of this partnership.

“The deal which provides broadcast coverage for 541 pathway event matches across three ICC World Cups will display the growth of high-quality Associate Member national teams showcasing fiercely competitive and entertaining cricket in new markets.”

IMG co-president, media and events, Adam Kelly, added: “This key relationship will ensure both the men’s and women’s games receive much wider awareness across several different broadcast platforms. We look forward to working with the ICC and its members on showcasing the game as broadly as possible.”