The ACT government has turned its back on the men's World Twenty20, deciding to invest in the women's tournament rather than bidding to host second-tier male games.
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Manuka Oval will host five women's World Twenty20 fixtures in 2020, with the tournament to start on February 21 and the final to be played at the MCG on March 8.
It's understood the government has prioritised its funding for future Tests, one-day internationals and Big Bash League games.
The cost of hosting five women's matches was far less than trying to secure the rights for games in the men's tournament.
ACT Meteors captain Erin Osborne says the decision is a massive boost for women's sport in the capital as female athletes continue to ride a wave of popularity which has opened doors for them to become professionals.
It also has the added benefit of Canberra being likely to host the Australian women's team rather than having to settle for lowly-ranked men's countries.
"Personally for me growing up all I ever watched was men's cricket and I aspired to be a Michael Bevan which is great and that was my aspiration," Osborne said.
"But I think it's wonderful that girls can now aspire to be the likes of Meg Lanning, Elyse Villani, Nicole Bolton. They can aspire to be like them and I think it's more relatable. It's crucial to the development of young girls' cricket.
"I think ACT cricket is doing a fantastic job in ensuring we're developing pathways for girls if they want to play cricket for Australia to then go through the steps.
"Having the World Cup here in Canberra will allow those girls to watch professional high-class cricket and aspire to be one of those players."
Canberra will host a historic first Test match in the 2018-19 summer when Australia plays against Sri Lanka at Manuka Oval, likely to be scheduled for January.
The Sydney Thunder also shifted a Big Bash game to Canberra this season, with a sell-out crowd watching the match at Manuka Oval last week.
The government's four-year deal with Cricket Australia to have three one-day internationals and a Test in the city will end after the Test against Sri Lanka.
It's believed negotiations about extending a strategic partnership have already started, and the government's preference is to have regular content at Manuka Oval.
"Cricket ACT are pushing to get a Big Bash team here and want more cricket to be played here," Osborne said.
"Canberra continues to put a strong case forward. They show up in numbers and it's so well supported by the community and the media.
"I think Canberra is doing all the right things to attract professional cricket here at Manuka."
Manuka Oval hosted three one-day international World Cup matches in 2015, with more than 25,000 people attending matches involving the West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Ireland.
But the capital will not be a part of the highly-anticipated Twenty20 equivalent after government officials decided to back the rise of female sport.
Women's cricket, soccer, rugby sevens and AFL are enjoying a popularity boom, and Manuka Oval will feature heavily in the World Twenty20 in two years.
More than 4000 people watched Australia play against England in the last Twenty20 of the women's Ashes series three months ago.
The ACT government spent $452,445 to resurface Manuka Oval for the second time in four years to strengthen its bid to secure Big Bash League and World Twenty20 fixtures.
Canberra is gearing up to host the annual Prime Minister's XI fixture at Manuka Oval on Friday night, just over a week after the Big Bash League rolled through the city.
