Photo via Hindustan Times

ICC eyes China's trillion-yuan sports economy as cricket searches for growth beyond its traditional markets

The International Cricket Council is pursuing expansion into China, aiming to diversify beyond its core commercial stronghold. Although cricket enjoys over one billion supporters worldwide, ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta noted that approximately 90 percent reside in South Asia.

This geographic concentration is reflected in the governing body's finances, where Indian broadcast rights serve as its primary income source, and revenue from flagship events topped $700 million in both 2024 and 2025. China presents an untapped consumer base, even with its national sides currently ranked 92nd in men's T20Is and 36th in women's.

8421 trillion yuan in 2024 and is targeted by Beijing to surpass seven trillion yuan by 2030. 5 million across five years.

This controlled expenditure functions as a measured entry into a massive marketplace, allowing cricket administrators to stimulate initial fan interest before deciding whether to increase financial resources.