World Netball has announced that starting in 2027, the Netball World Cup will be held every two years instead of every four, a shift aimed at strengthening the sport’s international profile and addressing challenges in maintaining relevance amid a complex sporting landscape. The decision follows a similar, though contentious, proposal in football to stage the FIFA World Cup biennially.

Fiona Harold, World Netball’s CEO, framed the move as a strategic effort to “sustain and grow the game over the long term” amid concerns about the waning prominence of the Commonwealth Games, a major platform for netball, and the ongoing push for inclusion in the Olympic Games. By increasing the frequency of their flagship tournament, World Netball aims to exercise greater control over the sport’s trajectory and provide more frequent opportunities for high-level competition.

Nonetheless, the plan has drawn criticism from some figures within the netball community who worry that a biennial World Cup could contribute to overexposure, diminish the event’s prestige, and strain the resources of national teams, particularly those from emerging netball nations. Alison Akinnrinola, a former England player and current netball expert, cautioned that “the finances don’t exist for a World Cup every two years,” emphasizing the risk that smaller or less wealthy countries may find it increasingly difficult to participate regularly. She argued that the traditional four-year cycle allows teams more time for preparation and financial planning.

This debate is especially relevant to nations like Hong Kong, which is set to end a 24-year absence from the World Cup after securing qualification through a strong performance at the recent Asian Championships held on home soil. The local netball association has been proactive in developing the sport despite the absence of netball from major regional multi-sport events such as the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Southeast Asian Games. Initiatives like the East Asian Cup, launched in 2025, and overseas training camps have bolstered Hong Kong’s competitive abilities and sparked greater local interest in netball, as reflected in a doubling of junior team participation at the upcoming Netfest tournament.

For emerging nations like Nigeria, where Akinnrinola now serves as head coach, the cycle change presents logistical and financial hurdles. Nigeria has relaunched its national team with ambitions for a medal at the 2030 Commonwealth Games but faces challenges in securing sufficient sponsorship and funding to compete consistently at a more frequent World Cup schedule. Akinnrinola advocates for investment in basic infrastructure such as courts, posts, and equipment to serve as a foundation for growth rather than simply increasing the frequency of global competitions.

Netball’s governing body appears willing to experiment with this new model in hopes that more frequent high-profile tournaments will generate momentum for the sport’s expansion. However, balancing the benefits of greater exposure with the risks of overextension remains a key concern for stakeholders invested in the future development of the game worldwide.