Mumbai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) will release its first invitation to tender (ITT) for media rights for the next cycle i.e., for 2024 of ICC events starting on 20 June, 2022. The ITT is for the Indian market only, with up to six packages available across TV only, digital only or a combination of both.

For the first time ever, men’s and women’s rights will be sold separately, and prospective partners can bid for 16 men’s events (over eight years) and six women’s events (over four years), totalling 362 and 103 matches, respectively. Interested parties will be required to submit a bid for the first four years of men’s events. However, they also have the option of bidding for an eight-year partnership.

“International cricket consistently attracts huge audiences and that is driving significant interest from broadcasters for ICC events. We have more than one billion fans that passionately follow the game globally, and they will be looking forward to seeing the best players in the world competing for cricket’s most prestigious trophies,” said ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice.

He further said, “There has been significant growth in interest in women’s cricket over the last five years and we have made a long-term strategic commitment to accelerate that growth and unbundling the rights for our women’s events will play a huge role in that. We are looking for a broadcast partner who is excited by the role they will play in growing the women’s game and ensuring more fans than ever before can enjoy it.”

The ICC board will take its decision to allot the media rights by September 2022. The ITTs for additional markets will be released following that.