American giant Fanatics has added the ICC to the list of sports organisations it holds a partnership with ©Getty Images

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has entered an agreement with American retailer Fanatics to operate its online store for all events and manage event retail.

This deal covers major competitions including the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia, scheduled for October 16 to November 13 this year, and next year's Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa.

Next year's World Test Championship final also falls under the agreement.

A new online store is due to open later this month.

Fanatics will be permitted to manufacture officially licensed ICC products, which the cricket global governing body said would provide fans with access to a wider range of merchandise.

ICC chief commercial officer Anurag Dahiya said that the partnership with Fanatics would enhance cricket fans' experience of events.

"We are delighted to welcome Fanatics to the ICC family," Dahiya commented.

"This partnership will be key in helping us take the cricket fan experience to the next level.

The Men's T20 World Cup in Australia is among the events covered under the ICC's agreement with Fanatics ©Getty Images
The Men's T20 World Cup in Australia is among the events covered under the ICC's agreement with Fanatics ©Getty Images

"The ICC's licensing and merchandise programme aims to supplement cricket’s global strategy to reach more fans, through more channels, with more products from a wide range of fan merchandise - from apparel, accessories and headwear to official replica jerseys of the fans’ beloved teams.

"We look forward to extending our licensing presence to not only event host nations but all countries with passionate cricket-loving fans."

Fanatics' senior vice-president of international business development Matthew Primack added: "I am delighted that the ICC has chosen Fanatics to help it deliver a better retail experience to its millions of fans across the globe.

"Cricket fans are incredibly passionate about the sport and I am sure that they will be impressed with the retail experience and range of merchandise that will be available to them over the coming years."

Fanatics partners with more than 900 sporting organisations and clubs across the world.

It has recently strengthened its ties with the Olympic Movement, entering a deal to act as online merchandise retailer along with providing volunteer uniforms in an Olympic-first for Los Angeles 2028, a Games where cricket is among the nine sports shortlisted by the Organising Committee for potential inclusion in addition to the core programme.