WTC Prize Money for winners announced: ICC more than doubles reward for World Test Champions in 2025

The winners of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final will take home $3.6 million, a significant 125 per cent increase from the $1.6 million awarded to champions Australia in the 2023 edition.

The final will be held at Lord's from June 11, featuring defending champions Australia and South Africa. The runners-up will receive $2.1 million, against the $800,000 given to the second-placed teams in the past two editions. This marks an increase of almost 162 per cent from the previous edition.

The increased financial reward and the global stage of the WTC final is a push by the ICC to rejuvenate interest in Test cricket, amid rising attention on shorter formats,


“The increase in prize money exhibits the ICC's efforts to prioritise Test cricket as it looks to build on the momentum of the first three cycles of the nine-team competition,” the ICC said in a statement on Thursday.

South Africa secured their place in the final with strong home series victories against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, ending with 69.44 percentage points. Australia followed closely with 67.54, while India, despite leading the table for most of the cycle, finished with 50.00 percentage points.

“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, which is a great honour for all of us,” said Australian captain Pat Cummins.

South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma said, “Everyone understands the importance of Test cricket and the World Test Championship lends context to this vital format of the game. Lord's is a fitting venue for this mega fixture and all of us will be out there trying to give our best against Australia.”