The International Cricket Council (ICC) is preparing to make a bold entrance into the booming world of mobile gaming, marking a transformative shift in the way cricket’s global governing body engages with its audience and diversifies its income.
To counter this, the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) has partnered with Winners Alliance, a group specializing in managing athletes’ commercial rights.
At the ICC board meetings currently underway in Harare, discussions have begun around securing approvals from Full Member boards to initiate the tender process for game developers.
The Rise of Mobile Cricket Gaming
Mobile gaming has experienced exponential growth in recent years, especially in developing nations where mobile access outpaces traditional gaming consoles or PCs. Cricket-themed games, such as World Cricket Championship, Real Cricket, and Stick Cricket, have enjoyed millions of downloads, particularly in South Asia.
With the surge in smartphone penetration and affordable data plans, fans in countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are driving this boom. The ICC’s decision to launch its own branded game comes at a strategic juncture where user demand and monetization potential are both sky-high.
While the ICC has control over player NIL rights during its flagship tournaments such as the Cricket World Cup, any representation of cricketers from bilateral series or domestic leagues will necessitate separate agreements.
This is particularly problematic in regions where no formal players’ associations exist, such as India and Pakistan. Unlike countries like England or Australia, where player unions negotiate on behalf of athletes, the ICC must liaise directly with national boards or individual players. These negotiations have historically proven to be time-consuming and conflict-ridden.
Broadcast Rights Concerns Driving Digital Expansion
With the explosive growth of franchise-based leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and SA20, traditional bilateral series are losing commercial appeal, and broadcast revenues are projected to plateau or even decline.
Industry insiders suggest the ICC may look to partner with studios that have experience in developing sports simulation games, such as Nextwave Multimedia, Nazara Technologies, or Big Ant Studios.
The tender process will likely focus on creating an immersive cricketing experience with realistic physics, career modes, and tournament simulation, along with a deep integration of player likeness, live stats, and multiplayer features.
With the inclusion of tournaments like the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Women’s World Cup, and the U19 Championships, the mobile platform will provide fans with the ability to relive iconic moments, build fantasy teams, and compete globally.
Localized content and multilingual support will also be vital to the game’s success, particularly in South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Real-time leaderboards, live event tie-ins, and collectible digital items such as NFTs and virtual player cards are also likely to enhance long-term user retention.
