Publication date: 15 Apr 2025
Cricket is a sport that is popular all over the world, just like traditional sports (football, hockey, basketball, tennis). This type of game has an interesting history, gathers stadiums, is broadcast in all media, is a national sport in some countries and is also an Olympic discipline. Billions tune in to watch matches, support favorite teams, place bets, and forecast match outcomes.
Presently, cricket ranks among the world’s most beloved sports, offering viewers entertainment and financial rewards via accurate predictions and betting activities. This creates lucrative income prospects for both bookmakers and affiliates alike.
Within this article from 3S.INFO, we’ll explore the roots of cricket’s appeal, outline strategies for attracting traffic, and pinpoint regions where the sport resonates strongly with local populations.
Why is cricket so popular?
Let’s delve into the fascinating origins of cricket. The sport traces its roots back to England in the seventeenth century. Initially, it was primarily played by children using makeshift equipment—sticks rather than actual bats—to strike what would later evolve into the modern-day cricket ball. Over time, however, the game matured and began to take shape, culminating in the formulation of structured rules. By 1744, these regulations were formally codified and ratified, giving rise to the inaugural edition of “The Laws of Cricket,” alongside the introduction of the iconic Leg Before Wicket (LBW) rule. Both developments occurred in London, serving as pivotal milestones in cricket’s historical trajectory.
Coinciding with cricket’s development was the expansive reach of the British Empire. Beyond exporting their culture, language, and traditions, the British disseminated their passion for cricket throughout their colonial territories. This initial diffusion acted as a spark, igniting widespread enthusiasm for the sport across disparate corners of the globe. Nations such as India, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, and Bangladesh enthusiastically adopted cricket, elevating its stature above that enjoyed in its native land, England. Now firmly entrenched within the cultural tapestry of these societies, cricket continues to flourish, notably through high-profile events like the World Cup, wherein fierce competition between national teams unfolds amid thriving domestic leagues and franchise networks.
In addition to the direct development of the sport itself, the media and the Internet have had a certain impact. They have brought the sport to the world stage, increasing the number of spectators and fans many times over. All cricket tournaments and international matches have been and continue to be broadcast worldwide. Prominent examples include the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Australia’s Big Bash League, both celebrated for their grand scale, unforgettable victories, sizable financial backing, and star-studded rosters, all contributing to cementing cricket’s position on the international sporting stage.
What are the characteristics of this sport that attract users to bookmakers’ websites?
First and foremost, cricket is highly accessible. Unlike other elite sports requiring costly gear, cricket only necessitates basic equipment—a ball and a bat. This affordability makes it appealing to individuals with limited budgets, enabling broader participation regardless of socioeconomic background. Furthermore, the lack of specialized venues means matches can occur anywhere with sufficient open space, enhancing its universal appeal.
Another attractive feature is the diversity of game formats. From extended five-day Test Matches favored by purists seeking deep strategy and endurance tests, to quicker formats like One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 (T20) games catering to those preferring speedy entertainment. Each format provides distinct opportunities for tactical experimentation, enriching both viewing experiences and betting options. Spectators often discuss tactics, player moves, and match results, have their own fan clubs, and share their interests with acquaintances and friends.
And third, there is cricket for women. Women’s leagues such as the WBBL (Women’s Big Bash League) in Australia, the KSL (Kia Super League) in England or the WIPL (Women’s Indian Premier League) in India are just as famous and popular as their male counterparts.
Which leagues are considered the largest?
According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), the sport boasts over 2.5 billion fans worldwide as of 2024. The size of the cricket market is expected to reach $12.5 billion by 2030. The Council itself comprises 104 countries, including 12 full members: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the UK, South Africa, Afghanistan, Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, New Zealand, and 92 associate members.
In 2023-24, the Big Bash League (BBL) was watched by over 55 million viewers in India. This accounted for 3.75 billion minutes of viewing time, according to Cricket Australia and Star Sports, marking an impressive increase of 203% compared to the previous season.
As noted by USA Cricket, more than 400 leagues with over 200,000 players had launched in the U.S. by 2024. This number continues to grow, as cricket is set to be introduced as a separate sport at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Australian broadcaster The Seven Network shared live data regarding the viewership of the Big Bash League for the 2022-2023 season. The matches attracted approximately 2.4 million viewers across the country. The league finals set new records for the BBL, with average viewership rising by 23.7% year-on-year. Audience numbers were also provided by the Foxtel and Kayo channels, with combined viewership reaching 548,000 viewers.
- The Indian Premier League (IPL) is run by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). It has 10 city franchises and is valued at approximately $12 billion.
- The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is managed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). It features around 6 local teams and is valued at up to $400 million.
- The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is overseen by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). It includes seven clubs and is valued at over $40 million.
- The Big Bash League (BBL – Australia) consists of eight major teams. Its value stands at $19 billion.
- The Major Cricket League (MLC) belongs to American Cricket Enterprises (ACE). Valued at more than $600 million, the annual US league has six franchises. This year, it plans to increase the number of matches from 19 to 34.
According to Cricket betting advice
What prizes are available for cricket players?
This sport is renowned for its substantial prize money, which stems from its prominence on the world stage, extensive media coverage, and the involvement of famous sports stars. Players at all levels strive to reach the top leagues, not just for glory but also for financial rewards. According to Sport News for 2023, the prize money in the IPL (under the T20 league) was $5.6 million. The relatively new SA20 league in South Africa offered over $4 million in prize money, while the Bangladesh Premier League had a prize pool of $2.2 million. By 2024, these figures are expected to grow significantly. Reuters noted that the ICC’s Women’s T20 World Cup had a record prize purse of $7.96 million for the tournament (held in the United Arab Emirates from October 3-20, 2024), with the winner receiving $2.34 million.
Additionally, the Global Super League, which occurred in Guyana in December 2024, had a prize fund of $1 million. Five teams participated, including the local team Amazon Warriors from the Caribbean Premier League and three-time English T20 Blast champions Hampshire (Daily Sports).
Cricket 2025: top sporting events
It will be quite challenging to list all the events, as there are numerous ones. Therefore, we have highlighted the most significant events in terms of popularity.
Indian Premier League
One of the most famous and anticipated events of the year. Matches are organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The season began on March 22 and will continue until May 25, 2025. The tournament was inaugurated at Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata, and matches will take place at 13 stadiums across India.
ICC Women’s ODI World Cup
This tournament will feature six women’s teams competing for the final two spots in the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup. It will be held in Lahore, Pakistan, from April 9 to April 19. Matches will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium and Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) arenas. The top two teams in this tournament will secure a place in the upcoming Women’s Cricket World Cup in India, scheduled for October and November this year.
Pakistan Super League
The tenth season of this league will be organized by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). It is set to take place from April 11 to May 18, 2025. This tournament will feature six teams, with matches being played in four cities across Pakistan. These cities include Karachi (National Stadium), Lahore (Gaddafi Stadium), Multan (Multan Cricket Stadium), and Rawalpindi (Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium).
ICC World Test Championship Final
The final of the third edition of the ICC World Test Championship is scheduled to be played at the legendary Lord’s in London from June 11 to June 15, 2025. Australia and South Africa will compete against each other in this final.
Lanka Premier League
This professional cricket league follows a Twenty20 format and is based in Sri Lanka. Established in 2020, it is played annually. The fifth season took place from July 1 to July 21, 2024. Five teams participated last year, with plans to expand to six teams in the current year, 2025. However, the official match schedule, venues, and team line-up have yet to be announced.
Caribbean Premier League
The thirteenth season of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is set to occur from August 14 to September 21, 2025. Matches will be held at six stadiums throughout the Caribbean. Notably, the final for CPL 2025 will take place in Guyana, while Barbados will host the final for CPL 2026.
Asia Cup
The Asia Cup is a cricket tournament scheduled from August 30 to September 14. It will feature eight teams from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Hong Kong, and Oman. Details regarding venues and prize money will be announced later. The previous edition of this tournament was held in 2023 and was won by a team from India.
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
The final of the African Regional Men’s T20 World Cup will serve as part of the qualifying process for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup. This tournament is set to take place in Zimbabwe from September 19 to October 4, 2025.
The Ashes
A Test cricket series between Australia and England is set to take place in 2025. The series will commence on November 21 and continue until January 8, 2026. Matches will be held in Perth, Gabba, Adelaide, Melbourne Cricket Stadium, and Sydney Cricket Stadium (the latter already in 2026). The Ashes Trophy, which symbolizes the rivalry between England and Australia in Test cricket, is regarded as the main prize of the series. Although the trophy holds no monetary value, it is one of the most prestigious awards in the cricketing world. Consequently, winning it carries significant symbolic importance for both countries.
In addition to major international tournaments, several localized cricket competitions are scheduled in various countries (according to data from the Cricschedule calendar):
County Championship (England) is a prestigious cricket tournament played in England and Wales. The 2025 season will mark its 125th edition and will run from April 4 to September 27, 2025. It will feature 18 local teams—10 teams in Division 1 and 8 teams in Division 2.
The Ram Slam T20 Challenge (South Africa) is an annual Twenty20 cricket tournament. It was established in 2003 and has since become a key event in South African cricket. Before the 2010 season, it was known as the Standard Bank Pro20 Series. It was later renamed the MiWay T20 Challenge before finally becoming the Ram Slam T20 Challenge. The tournament will feature six teams competing in a round-robin format.
Zimbabwe Tour of Bangladesh is scheduled to begin on April 20, 2025 and will include 2 Tests between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
West Indies Tour of Ireland (is part of the Future Tour Programs (FTP)) is scheduled to begin on May 21, 2025 in Ireland and will include 3 ODIs and 3 T20s. Ireland’s final match against the West Indies for the year will take place in Belfast on June 15.
India Tour of England, starting on June 20, 2025, all 5 Tests will be played on English soil. The first match is scheduled for Headingley Stadium, while the final match will be held in London on July 31.
How to direct betting traffic: cricket peculiarities
In cricket, understanding your target audience is crucial for driving traffic. It is important to study your consumers and their characteristics to determine what will attract them and when. For instance, cricket betting appeals to various groups, ranging from ardent fans to individuals looking to profit from predictions. These bettors often study statistics very carefully before a match. Therefore, you can test different destinations and attract diverse audiences to increase conversion rates.
Additionally, it is necessary to analyze which events and cricket matches cause significant spikes in user activity. This may not always align with the top league matches. According to Blask, the highest activity in Indian cricket occurs not during the opening or closing matches of the season or during top matches, but rather during games between popular local teams or derby matches in the playoffs. The service has observed particularly high levels of user registrations on days when local teams or players compete simultaneously. Over the past five years, the number of such periods has increased from 437,000 to 3 million.
What types of bets can be promoted? You can promote bets on the winner, which is a classic option frequently used in advertising campaigns. This type of bet is suitable for both experienced fans and beginners. Another option is player bets, which focus on individual achievements throughout the season and are more appropriate for a knowledgeable audience. In addition, promotional bets allow users to wager without risking their own money.
When should you run ads? It is advisable to start running traffic at least a week before the event. This approach will enable you to study your target audience, select an effective strategy, and begin scaling on the day of the game.
Always use high-quality and proven sources and offers. The 3SNET network provides some of the best offers from bookmakers that are eager for quality cricket traffic.
In terms of betting, it is effective to display frequent ads leading up to the event. This strategy keeps your brand visible and captures user attention more effectively. Given the competition, it is also wise to allocate a larger budget and increase your cost per lead over a few days. Such investments can yield returns by enhancing both the volume and quality of traffic.
Cricket represents a promising direction that continues to develop with a stable increase in audience year after year. This growth allows for new approaches, exploration of different regions, and scaling of earnings. Furthermore, there is active growth in expanding the geography where this sport—and the upward trend in betting—is gaining popularity. 3SNET has prepared a list of attractive sporting events and cricket offers with high conversion rates for you. Now is the time to connect, drive traffic, and make money!
Share it with your friends via favorite social media
