With the launch of professional women’s cricket leagues in many countries, the women’s game has gained more fans, better media coverage, and strong financial support, especially in India where women’s cricket growth has been remarkable in recent years.
This growth is not only about popularity. It is also about opportunity. Women’s cricket leagues now give players regular income, good coaching, and the chance to play in front of large crowds.
From sold out stadiums in India to beautiful grounds in New Zealand and England, more fans are watching women’s T20 cricket than ever before.
In this guide, we look at the biggest women’s cricket leagues in the world, their formats, teams, and how they are helping shape the future of women’s cricket around the globe.
Top Women’s Cricket Leagues: Format, Teams, and Global Reach
Before diving into each league, here is a quick overview of the major women’s cricket competitions worldwide, and understanding cricket pitch types helps explain why playing styles differ from country to country.
| League | Country | Format | Teams | Year Started |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s Premier League (WPL) | India | T20 | 5 | 2023 |
| Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) | Australia | T20 | 8 | 2015 |
| The Hundred (Women) | England | 100-Ball | 8 | 2021 |
| Women’s Caribbean Premier League | West Indies | T20 | 3 | 2022 |
| Women’s Super Smash | New Zealand | T20 | 6 | 2018 |
| Charlotte Edwards Cup | England | T20 | 8 | 2021 |
| FairBreak Invitational | Global | T20 | 6 | 2022 |
1. Women’s Premier League (WPL) : India
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| League Name | Women’s Premier League (WPL) |
| Country | India |
| Format | T20 |
| Teams | 5 |
| Year Started | 2023 |
| Organized By | Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) |
The Women’s Premier League, launched in 2023, changed women’s cricket forever. Run by the BCCI, the WPL quickly became the most valuable women’s cricket league in the world.
Player auctions grabbed headlines, with several stars becoming the most expensive WPL expensive player, highlighting the league’s growing financial power.
The league follows the IPL model, bringing together top Indian players and international stars, with fans closely following the WPL schedule every season.
It has raised the standard of women’s cricket in India and proved that a women’s cricket league can be commercially successful, with record breaking WPL revenue compared to other leagues.
2. Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) : Australia
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| League Name | Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) |
| Country | Australia |
| Format | T20 |
| Teams | 8 |
| Year Started | 2015 |
| Organized By | Cricket Australia |
The Women’s Big Bash League is the league that set the benchmark for women’s franchise cricket.
Started in 2015, the WBBL was the first full scale women’s T20 league to match the men’s competition in quality and coverage.
It has played a major role in Australia’s dominance in women’s international cricket in terms of ICC tournament wins. Young players gain experience by playing alongside world class overseas stars, making the league extremely competitive.
3. FairBreak Invitational Tournament : Global
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| League Name | FairBreak Invitational Tournament |
| Country | Global |
| Format | T20 |
| Teams | 6 |
| Year Started | 2022 |
| Organized By | FairBreak Global |
The FairBreak Invitational is unique because of its global vision. Unlike most leagues, it is not tied to a single country.
Its main goal is to give players from Associate nations the chance to play alongside top international cricketers, helping to bridge gaps in experience and exposure.
By hosting matches in neutral venues such as Dubai and Hong Kong, FairBreak promotes women’s cricket beyond traditional powerhouses and encourages the growth of the sport in emerging nations.
4. Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) : West Indies
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| League Name | Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) |
| Country | West Indies |
| Format | T20 |
| Teams | 3 |
| Year Started | 2022 |
| Organized By | Cricket West Indies |
The WCPL brings the vibrant Caribbean energy to women’s cricket. Played alongside the men’s CPL, the league combines cricket with music, entertainment, and fan-friendly events.
Although there are currently only three teams, the WCPL plays a vital role in nurturing local talent, giving West Indies women players exposure to high-level T20 cricket.
The league also helps rebuild the region’s strength in the international women’s game, while giving fans a festival-like cricket experience.
5. Women’s Super Smash : New Zealand
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| League Name | Women’s Super Smash |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Format | T20 |
| Teams | 6 |
| Year Started | 2018 (T20 rebrand) |
| Organized By | New Zealand Cricket |
New Zealand’s Women’s Super Smash is the premier domestic competition and runs alongside the men’s tournament. Known for its scenic grounds and friendly atmosphere, the league attracts both local fans and families.
It has produced world-class all-rounders and batters, such as Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr, who have gone on to shine internationally.
The league plays a key role in developing the New Zealand national team while giving young players the chance to gain experience in high-pressure T20 matches.
6. Charlotte Edwards Cup : England
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| League Name | Charlotte Edwards Cup |
| Country | England |
| Format | T20 |
| Teams | 8 |
| Year Started | 2021 |
| Organized By | England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) |
Named after England cricket legend Charlotte Edwards, this league forms the foundation of England’s domestic women’s structure.
It focuses on regional teams, providing regular match practice and competitive experience for developing players.
While The Hundred draws more media attention, the Charlotte Edwards Cup is critical for long-term player growth and helps feed talent into the national side. Many future stars use this league as a stepping stone to international cricket.
7. The Hundred (Women) : England
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| League Name | The Hundred (Women) |
| Country | England |
| Format | 100-Ball |
| Teams | 8 |
| Year Started | 2021 |
| Organized By | ECB |
The Hundred introduced a fast-paced 100-ball format to make cricket easier to follow for new fans. Women’s matches are played as double-headers with the men’s games, attracting large crowds and families to stadiums.
With equal prize money and strong marketing campaigns, The Hundred has raised the visibility of women’s cricket in England.
It also provides young players with the opportunity to play alongside top international stars, helping to raise the overall standard of the domestic game.
8.CSA WT20 Super League : South Africa
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| League Name | CSA Women’s T20 Super League |
| Country | South Africa |
| Format | T20 |
| Teams | 4–6 (varies by season) |
| Year Started | 2019 |
| Organized By | Cricket South Africa |
| Known For | National team talent development |
| Global Impact | Strengthens South Africa’s women’s cricket depth |
South Africa’s domestic women’s league focuses on strengthening the talent pool for the Proteas Women.
While it is not yet as commercially developed as the WPL or WBBL, the league is crucial for preparing players for international cricket.
It helps bridge the gap between provincial cricket and national duty, ensuring that South Africa continues to produce competitive players who can succeed in ICC tournaments. The league also gives fans a chance to support rising local stars.
9. KIA Super League (England)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| League Name | KIA Super League |
| Country | England |
| Format | T20 |
| Teams | 6 |
| Year Active | 2016–2019 |
| Organized By | ECB |
The KIA Super League, which ran from 2016 to 2019, was England’s first franchise-based T20 competition for women.
It played a key role in professionalizing domestic women’s cricket before being replaced by The Hundred and regional competitions.
Many current England internationals got their first taste of high-level competitive cricket through this league. Its legacy continues to influence how women’s cricket is structured in England today.
10. Women’s T20 Challenge (India)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| League Name | Women’s T20 Challenge |
| Country | India |
| Format | T20 |
| Teams | 3 |
| Year Active | 2018–2022 |
| Organized By | BCCI |
Before the WPL, the BCCI ran the Women’s T20 Challenge as a mini-tournament during IPL playoffs. Initially a one-off exhibition, it expanded to a three-team competition (Supernovas, Trailblazers, and Velocity).
The T20 Challenge demonstrated the huge interest in women’s cricket in India and helped lay the foundation for the WPL.
It gave Indian domestic players the chance to play alongside international stars, boosting both skill development and fan engagement.
Conclusion
Women’s cricket is rapidly approaching a future of year round franchise play. As more boards launch competitions like the Pakistan Women’s League, the ecosystem continues to strengthen.
While balancing international schedules and ensuring top tier revenue reaches grassroots levels remain challenges, the momentum is undeniable.
From record breaking WPL auctions to the league’s most expensive players, and packed WBBL stadiums, franchise leagues have become a central pillar of the global sport.
