Champions Trophy 2025: Schedule, prize money, tournament format
The upcoming major cricket tournament starting from Wednesday, February 19 represents both a revival and a comeback. After spending eight years in dormancy the ICC Champions Trophy returns to the cricket calendar. Pakistan makes a comeback to hosting an international cricket tournament after enduring a 29-year waiting period.
The tournament experienced several modifications since its first edition in 1998 before it vanished from the cricket calendar after 2017. The International Cricket Council's governing board announced the tournament's return for 2025.
During a non-World Cup year we now have a 'Mini World Cup' which will provide two weeks of cricket entertainment.
This section details the tournament format and financial aspects that cricket fans need to understand about the Champions Trophy 2025:
What are the dates for the tournament?
The tournament starts on Wednesday February 19 and concludes on March 9.
Where is the tournament being played?
Pakistan originally hosted the tournament and staged this major cricket event for the first time since they held the 1996 World Cup together with India and Sri Lanka. The matches of this year's Champions Trophy will take place in both Pakistan and the UAE.
Why is the UAE hosting matches?
Political tensions between India and Pakistan resulted in India refusing to visit Pakistan for cricket matches which led to the establishment of a hybrid model that places all their games in Dubai, UAE.
Which are the venues?
The Champions Trophy matches will take place at four venues including Karachi and Lahore in Pakistan as well as Rawalpindi and Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
How many teams will participate in the tournament?
The tournament features eight teams which include defending champions Pakistan along with India, Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
The top seven teams from the 2023 World Cup in India automatically qualified for the tournament along with Pakistan which qualified as the host team.The hosts Pakistan automatically qualified while the seven best teams from the 2023 World Cup in India also secured their spots.
What is the format?
The tournament features eight teams split into two separate groups where each team plays against every other team in their group. The best two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals. The final will take place in Lahore on March 9 unless India reaches the title match when it will be shifted to Dubai. The semifinals and final games will have reserve days scheduled.
What do the two groups look like?
Group A consists of arch-rivals Pakistan and India alongside perennial dark horse New Zealand and Bangladesh while Group B brings together Ashes rivals Australia and England together with South Africa and Afghanistan.
What amount of prize money does the tournament offer?
The competition's total prize purse amounts to $6.9 million which reflects a 53% increase from the 2017 edition. The winning team receives $2.24 million while the runners-up team earns $1.12 million.
Is prize money distributed exclusively to the winning teams and runners-up?
No. The two semi-final teams that lose will receive $560,000 to fly home but teams finishing fifth and sixth will get $350,000. Both teams finishing seventh and eighth will take home $140,000 each.
What rewards exist for group stage victories?
Yes. Teams earn $34,000 for each victory during the group stage of the tournament. Each of the eight teams will receive $125,000 for their participation in the tournament.
Which games should spectators pay close attention to?
The most anticipated cricket match without question will be the India vs Pakistan showdown at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23 at the 'Ring of Fire'.
The encounter between Australia and their long-time adversary England at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium which hosted the 1996 World Cup final will take place on Saturday, February 22 and should not be missed.
The matches become essential viewing for cricket enthusiasts who live and breathe the sport.
Where can you watch the cricket matches from the UAE location?
Since you already possess tickets to the highly sought-after match between India vs Pakistan we assume you know exactly what to do. View the match live from your home via CricLife Max and CricLife Max2 broadcasts and STARZPLAY streaming services if you didn't obtain tickets. For those planning to see the game live, here are some top viewing locations worth visiting.
What are the available transportation options to reach the stadium in Dubai where India matches take place?
The stadium can be reached either by driving yourself or hiring a cab. Due to limited parking availability and the absence of direct Metro service to the venue currently, taking the bus would be a wise choice.
The Dubai Internet City bus station operates Bus F34 which takes passengers to the stadium with a trip duration of roughly 20 minutes. The Dubai Cricket Stadium bus stop provides access to the venue on foot within seven minutes. Check RTA for bus timings.
The Mall of the Emirates bus station provides access to ride F37. The ride to the Arena Tower stop at Dubai Sports City lasts approximately 35 minutes. The stadium is twenty minutes away on foot from that location. F37 operates from Sunday to Friday. Check RTA for the timings.
Schedule (All matches 1pm UAE time)
February 19: Pakistan vs New Zealand (Karachi)
February 20: Bangladesh vs India (Dubai)
February 21: Afghanistan vs South Africa (Karachi)
February 22: Australia vs England (Lahore)
February 23: Pakistan vs India (Dubai)
February 24: Bangladesh vs New Zealand (Rawalpindi)
February 25: Australia vs South Africa (Rawalpindi)
February 26: Afghanistan vs England (Lahore)
February 27: Pakistan vs Bangladesh (Rawalpindi)
February 28: Afghanistan vs Australia (Lahore)
March 1: South Africa vs England (Karachi)
March 2: New Zealand vs India (Dubai)
March 4: Semifinal 1 (Dubai)
March 5: Semifinal 2 (Lahore)
March 9: Final (Lahore/Dubai)
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