ICC approves US$12.82 million loan to Cricket West Indies amid forecast losses

ST JOHN'S, Antigua and Barbuda. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a US$12.82 million loan to Cricket West Indies (CWI), which had anticipated a revenue shortfall and built ICC support into its financial strategy.

"For the year ended September 30, 2025, CWI recorded a net loss of US$28m, following a net profit of US$23m for the year ended September 30, 2024," a report stated.

The remaining two years of the cycle are forecast to produce a net loss of approximately US$26 million in 2026 and a net profit of about US$8 million in 2027, "reflecting the cyclical nature of international cricket revenues and expenditure patterns".

Dehring welcomes support

CWI chief executive Chris Dehring welcomed the loan as part of "a broader programme of ongoing initiatives to support the organisation's long-term growth and development".

"This is one element of a wider strategic direction aimed at strengthening CWI's financial and operational resilience, particularly given the inherent cyclical nature of its revenues and the rapidly changing global cricket landscape," he said.

In its 2025 annual report, CWI said it "has demonstrated proactive and decisive action to strengthen its operating model".

Cuts to regional cricket

Financial constraints have forced CWI to cut the Four-Day Championship, cancel the Under-17 tournament and remove the CCC and West Indies Academy from regional competitions.

Announcing the changes in February, Dehring explained the economics of hosting different teams.

"When we host countries like India or England, we are able to hold our head above water because those tours tend to pay for themselves," he said. Broadcast rights from those series help fund development programmes and annual tournaments.

Hosting Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand, he said, "comes with a financial price. It's a price we have to pay to keep our seat at the ICC table and retain our Full Membership."