ICC World Test Championship 2025 Prize: Winners to Earn Record $3.6 Million

ICC World Test Championship Final 2025: Record $3.6 Million Prize Announced for Champions

As the countdown begins for the most prestigious red-ball clash of the year, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a record prize money structure for the ICC World Test Championship Final 2023–25 cycle. The final, which will see Australia take on South Africa at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground from June 11 to 15, will not only decide the world’s best Test team but also offer the highest-ever financial reward in Test cricket history.

The winners of this year’s World Test Championship Final will walk away with a staggering $3.6 million, more than double the previous winner's prize purse. Even the runners-up will earn $2.16 million, a figure that surpasses the total prize pool of the inaugural 2021 edition. These numbers are a strong statement from the ICC affirming their commitment to preserving and promoting Test cricket’s global relevance.

WTC Final 2025 Prize Money Breaks New Ground

The ICC’s move to significantly increase the World Test Championship prize money reflects not just the growing stature of the tournament but also a reinvestment into the game’s longest format. In the previous editions, New Zealand (2021) and Australia (2023) earned $1.6 million as winners, while the losing teams took home $800,000. The 2025 final doubles that, signaling a fresh push to keep Test cricket at the forefront of international cricket amid the rapid rise of white-ball formats.

In total, the prize money for the 2023–25 cycle has increased substantially, with every participating team receiving a share. India, finishing third in the standings, will pocket $1.44 million, followed by New Zealand ($1.2 million), England ($960,000), Sri Lanka ($840,000), Bangladesh ($720,000), West Indies ($600,000) and Pakistan ($480,000).

Lord’s to Host The Ultimate Test

All eyes will be on Lord’s, the spiritual home of cricket, as it hosts the WTC Final for the first time. Previous finals were held at Southampton (2021) and The Oval (2023), but the upcoming fixture will enjoy a globally symbolic stage as Australia and South Africa clash for the Test mace. The venue is set to enhance the grandeur of the occasion, steeped in heritage and tradition, befitting a format that many purists still regard as the pinnacle of the sport.

The final will be preceded by a Captains’ Preview event on June 9, which fans around the world can follow live via broadcast partners and ICC’s digital platforms.

ICC Chair Jay Shah Emphasizes Test Cricket’s Prestige

Newly appointed ICC Chair Jay Shah praised the competitive nature of the third WTC cycle and reaffirmed the council’s faith in the format.

“We have witnessed a very interesting third cycle of the ICC World Test Championship, where the finalists were decided only towards the end of the competition. This championship has showcased remarkable performances from different teams, culminating in a final between two exceptional squads.”

He highlighted that Test cricket requires a blend of skill, endurance, and character not often seen in other formats and hoped the increased prize money would continue to uplift the format and its players.

Captains’ Take: Cummins vs Bavuma at Lord’s

Australia, the defending champions, will be led by Pat Cummins, who guided his team to the top of the Test game over the last two years. Reflecting on the occasion, Cummins said:

“We are enormously proud to have the opportunity to defend the World Test Championship, especially at Lord’s. It’s a great honour for all of us who’ve worked hard across two years.”

On the other side, South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma is eyeing his team’s first ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 1998. He acknowledged the WTC’s importance in giving context to Test cricket:

“Everyone understands the importance of Test cricket, and the World Test Championship lends meaning to every match. Lord’s is a fitting venue for this mega fixture.”

Bavuma also features in a promotional video released by ICC, which emphasizes the mental and physical demands of Test cricket. The video, marking the 30-day countdown, includes legends like Shaun Pollock, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Steve Smith, Matthew Hayden, and commentators Nasser Hussain, Shoaib Akhtar, and Ravi Shastri, capturing the passion and legacy associated with The Ultimate Test.

South Africa’s Grit and Australia’s Legacy Set the Stage

The road to Lord’s for both teams has been a narrative in itself. South Africa stormed into the final with 2-0 series wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan, ending their campaign with 69.44 percentage points, while Australia, who led for much of the cycle, finished close behind at 67.54 points.

India, despite holding the top position for long stretches, slipped after a series defeat to England and ended third. This has added to the anticipation around a final featuring two teams with contrasting legacies Australia with their championship pedigree, and South Africa hunting for their elusive ICC crown.

The Bigger Picture: Test Cricket’s Future

By significantly increasing the WTC Final prize money, the ICC sends a clear message about the format’s long-term value. While T20 leagues have revolutionized the commercial aspect of the sport, Test cricket remains the truest challenge of a cricketer’s ability and the ICC wants to ensure that value is reflected in both financial and structural terms.

Promoting high-stakes contests like the WTC Final not only rewards consistency but also offers young cricketers a tangible goal in the red-ball format. Hosting the final at Lord’s is a tribute to tradition, but the move to double the prize money is a step toward evolution.