ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Teams, schedule, venues, tickets, how to stream

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy is set to return after an eight-year hiatus, with Pakistan hosting the event from February 19 to March 9. This is the only ICC men’s limited-overs competition in 2025, and eight teams will compete for the coveted trophy and the symbolic white blazer signifying victory. The return of the Champions Trophy promises to be a thrilling event for cricket fans worldwide.

Originally named the ICC KnockOut Tournament, the Champions Trophy was conceived as an elite event between cricket's Test-playing nations to fill the four-year gap between ICC 50-over World Cups and to help promote the sport globally. The inaugural tournament was held in Bangladesh in 1998, with South Africa emerging as the champions. With the introduction of the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007 and the ICC World Test Championship in 2019, the Champions Trophy was discontinued after the 2017 edition hosted by England, which Pakistan won. The revival of the tournament aims to re-establish its significance on the international cricket calendar.

This edition marks the ninth Champions Trophy, and as the defending champions, Pakistan will host its biggest international sporting event in 29 years. The last time the South Asian nation hosted an ICC event was in 1996. A gun attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in March 2009 led to the cancellation or suspension of professional cricket tours to Pakistan for many years. Cricket experts told Al Jazeera that a successful hosting of the international event would help change perceptions of the country. Hosting the Champions Trophy is a significant opportunity for Pakistan to showcase its ability to organize and secure major sporting events.

The participating teams in this Champions Trophy include hosts Pakistan and the top seven ODI teams from the 2023 Cricket World Cup group stage. The tournament will follow a straightforward group stage and knockout format. Afghanistan will be making their Champions Trophy debut. After the group stage, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. Group A consists of Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and New Zealand, while Group B includes Australia, South Africa, Afghanistan, and England. The competition promises exciting matchups and the potential for surprising upsets.

Pakistan will play New Zealand in the opening match on Thursday, February 19, at the National Stadium in Karachi. The final is scheduled for March 9, with the venue depending on whether India qualifies. The group stage will be held from February 19 to March 2, and the semi-finals will be played on March 4 and 5. Due to directives from the Indian government, India refused to travel to Pakistan, and Pakistan was initially reluctant to move India's matches to a neutral venue, leading to delays in finalizing the schedule. After months of deadlock, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reluctantly accepted a reciprocal hybrid model whereby India would play its Champions Trophy matches at a neutral venue, and Pakistan would do the same in any upcoming ICC events hosted in India. The ICC and PCB subsequently agreed to move India's three group matches and one semi-final to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The final is scheduled to be held at the Pakistan cricket headquarters in Lahore but may be moved to Dubai if India qualifies. The decision to use a hybrid model reflects the complex political realities affecting cricket between India and Pakistan.

Pakistan has selected Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi as the three host cities for the tournament. Dubai was added as a neutral venue in December 2024. Karachi’s National Stadium, one of Pakistan’s oldest and most famous cricket grounds, has hosted hundreds of iconic Test and limited-overs matches since opening in 1955. The stadium, located in Pakistan's largest and most populous city, has a capacity of 30,000 and has undergone extensive renovations for the Champions Trophy and will host the opening match of the tournament. Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, home to the PCB and the Pakistan National Cricket Academy, has a rich history and hosted the ICC Cricket World Cup final in 1996 when Sri Lanka lifted the trophy to the delight of the crowd. The city, located in the heart of Pakistan, has a capacity of 34,000 and will host three group matches, the second semi-final, and the final (depending on India's qualification). Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, although smaller with a capacity of 18,000, is known for always being packed to capacity for most international matches. The venue, located in the twin city of Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, is easily accessible for fans. It will host three group matches, including Pakistan's match against Bangladesh on February 27. In the 16 years since its inauguration, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium has become a favorite neutral venue for Pakistan and the ICC to host international matches. With its modern "ring of fire" lighting and compact design, the venue is expected to be a "cauldron" for India's three group matches, including the highly anticipated match against Pakistan. Dubai will also host the first semi-final on March 4 and the final on March 9 if India qualifies. The selection of venues reflects a balance between traditional cricket grounds and modern facilities, catering to both local and international audiences.

The group-stage match between India and Pakistan was originally scheduled for March 2 in Lahore but was moved to Dubai on Sunday, February 23, after an agreement between the two countries. With bilateral tours between the two South Asian rivals suspended, the teams only play each other in ICC events, making this match the only India vs Pakistan men’s match in 2025. Fans from both countries and around the world are expected to flock to the match, and players will seize the opportunity to compete for glory in this highly anticipated sporting event. The match is scheduled to start at 09:00 GMT, but Al Jazeera’s pre-match coverage will begin at 04:00 GMT. The India-Pakistan match is always a highlight of any cricket tournament, drawing massive viewership and generating intense excitement.

Al Jazeera believes that Pakistan and India are the favorites to win the Champions Trophy. Pakistan is not only the host nation but has also been in excellent form in ODI cricket recently. Mohammad Rizwan's side will be hoping to win an ICC title on home soil, a feat they have failed to achieve in their previous two attempts. India, the top-ranked ODI team in the ICC, enters the Champions Trophy after defeating England and winning the T20 World Cup. The tournament is likely to be a farewell to ODI cricket for some of India’s greatest icons, including captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli. New Zealand has quietly moved into the top four of the ICC ODI rankings after winning a tri-series in Pakistan and will be aiming to win their second Champions Trophy title since 2000. The presence of strong contenders like Pakistan, India, and New Zealand adds to the tournament's competitive appeal.

Al Jazeera has picked five top players to watch out for: Babar Azam (Pakistan), Shubman Gill (India), Jos Buttler (England), Glenn Maxwell (Australia), and Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan). Australia's World Cup-winning captain Pat Cummins and India's world-class fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah are the biggest names missing from their respective squads. The absence of key players like Cummins and Bumrah highlights the challenges teams face in balancing player workload and managing injuries.

The ICC has significantly increased the total prize money for the tournament to $6.9 million, a 53% increase from the previous edition. The winner will receive $2.24 million, the runner-up will receive $1.12 million, the losing semi-finalists will receive $560,000, fifth and sixth place will receive $350,000, and seventh and eighth place will receive $140,000. The substantial increase in prize money reflects the growing importance and commercial value of the Champions Trophy.

Among the teams participating in this edition, Australia and India have both won the title twice, while Bangladesh and England are yet to win it. Past champions include South Africa in 1998, New Zealand in 2000, India and Sri Lanka (joint winners) in 2002, the West Indies in 2004, Australia in 2006 and 2009, India in 2013, and Pakistan in 2017. The diverse list of past champions underscores the unpredictable nature of the tournament and the potential for any team to emerge victorious.

Standard rules and regulations that apply to ODI matches apply to all matches. If a match ends in a tie, a Super Over will be used to determine the winner. Two points will be awarded for a win, and one point will be awarded to each team in the event of no result. Semi-final spots will be allocated to the two teams with the most points in each group. If the points are equal, the team with the most wins will advance, and if they are still equal, the team with the higher net run rate will advance. Reserve days have been scheduled for both semi-finals and the final. The clear and concise rules ensure fair competition and add to the excitement of the tournament.

The ICC has released tickets for the tournament in phases through its official online ticketing platform and vendors across Pakistan. Tickets for the final will go on sale after the first semi-final in Dubai as the venue will be determined based on India's fate in the tournament. The phased release of tickets and the contingency plan for the final venue demonstrate the organizers' attention to detail and commitment to ensuring a smooth and successful event.

A host of official television, digital, and radio broadcasters will be providing live coverage of the tournament in various regions. Al Jazeera Sport will provide pre-match coverage, as well as text and picture commentary, for selected matches in the group stage and all three knockout matches. The extensive media coverage ensures that fans around the world can follow the action and experience the excitement of the Champions Trophy.

Cricket is a simple bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players, but the rules can be a little complex. Al Jazeera is here to break it down for you. The explanation of the rules will help new fans understand and appreciate the sport, contributing to its continued growth and popularity.