Cricket
They lift the trophy, make headlines, and become future stars, but do they actually get paid for winning?
The ICC treats the Under-19 World Cup as a developmental tournament, not a professional one. The focus is on growth, exposure, and learning, not financial rewards
While the ICC doesn’t pay players directly, cricket boards often do. Winning teams are usually rewarded by their own boards as a mark of recognition
After India’s U-19 World Cup triumph in 2022, the BCCI awarded ₹40 lakh to each player and ₹25 lakh to support staff, giving young cricketers a strong early career boost
The real reward is opportunity, the U-19 World Cup opens doors to IPL and franchise leagues, senior national team selection, and future professional contracts and endorsements
Building stars, not just winners the U-19 World Cup isn’t about prize money, but about shaping the next generation of international cricketers, and for many, it’s only the beginning of a much bigger journey.