ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Full Schedule, Group, Time, Venue, and More!

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will mark the ninth edition of the prestigious cricket tournament and will feature the top eight One-Day International (ODI) teams.

This is an important event that will be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025. It will be the first major international cricket event hosted entirely by Pakistan since the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team.

Competition details

  • Date: February 19 to March 9, 2025
  • Host country: Pakistan

Participating teams:

  • India
  • Pakistan (host)
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • Bangladesh
  • South Africa
  • Afghanistan
  • England

The tournament will be played in the third city of Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, with the opening match pitting Pakistan against New Zealand.

Format

The competition will adopt a round-robin format in the group stage, followed by knockout rounds. The top teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, culminating in the final scheduled for March 9, 2025 in Lahore.

historical background

The ICC Champions Trophy was last held in 2017 and was terminated after that. However, due to its popularity and demand among cricket fans, it was reinstated for two editions in 2025 and 2029. Pakistan is the defending champion and defeated India in the last edition.

participation issues

Discussions about India’s involvement are ongoing due to historical political tensions between India and Pakistan.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to confirm whether they will send the team to Pakistan, and there is speculation that a hybrid model may be called for, with the matches moved to neutral venues such as Sri Lanka or Dubai.

The PCB has assured that arrangements will be made to facilitate travel for Indian fans, including expedited visa processing and ticket distribution

2025 ICC Champions Trophy Groupings

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will feature eight teams divided into two groups of four. The grouping is as follows:

Group A

  • India
  • Pakistan
  • New Zealand
  • Bangladesh

Group B

  • Afghanistan
  • Australia
  • England
  • South Africa

The tournament will be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025, and the competition will be held in the third city of Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.

The top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout stages, proceeding to the semi-finals and ultimately the final.

Complete schedule of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025. Here’s the full game schedule:

date

match

site

February 19, 2025

New Zealand vs Pakistan

karachi

February 20, 2025

Bangladesh vs India

Lahore

February 21, 2025

Afghanistan vs South Africa

karachi

February 22, 2025

Australia vs England

Lahore

February 23, 2025

new zealand vs india

rawalpindi

February 24, 2025

pakistan vs bangladesh

Lahore

February 25, 2025

Afghanistan vs England

Lahore

February 26, 2025

Australia vs South Africa

rawalpindi

February 27, 2025

Bangladesh vs New Zealand

Lahore

February 28, 2025

Afghanistan vs Australia

rawalpindi

March 1, 2025

pakistan vs india

Lahore

March 2, 2025

South Africa vs England

rawalpindi

March 5, 2025

Semi-final 1

karachi

March 6, 2025

Semi-final 2

rawalpindi

March 9, 2025

final

Lahore

The competition will be divided into two groups of four teams. The top two teams in each group will advance to the semi-finals. Notably, the much-awaited match between Pakistan and India is scheduled to take place on March 1, 2025 in Lahore.

Key matches to watch out for in ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Several key matches in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 are highly anticipated and will feature exciting showdowns between top cricketing nations. Here are some great games to watch:

India vs Pakistan:

  • Date: March 1, 2025
  • Location: Lahore

The match is always a major event in the world of cricket and attracts huge attention and enthusiasm from fans around the world.

Australia vs England:

  • Date: February 22, 2025
  • Location: Lahore

The tournament has been dubbed the limited-edition Ashes and competition is expected to be fierce.

South Africa vs New Zealand:

  • Date: February 26, 2025
  • Location: Rawalpindi

Both teams are known for their unpredictability and strong performances, making this game a must-see.

Bangladesh vs India:

  • Date: February 20, 2025
  • Location: Lahore

As Bangladesh continues to rise in international cricket, this game will be crucial for both the teams.

Afghanistan vs Australia:

  • Date: February 28, 2025
  • Location: Rawalpindi

Afghanistan have shown significant growth in ODI cricket and facing a powerhouse like Australia will be a big test.

site

According to reports, Pakistan has proposed three venues for the event on April 28, 2024, namely Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. India will play the entire tournament in Lahore.

Pakistan is likely to have three venues to host the Champions Trophy in 2025. They are:

City

karachi

Lahore

rawalpindi

matches

3

7

5

stadium

national stadium

Gaddafi Stadium

rawalpindi cricket stadium

capacity

34,238

27,000

15,000

Unique Features of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will feature several unique features that differ from previous editions:

  • Host: The tournament will be the first major International Cricket Council event to be hosted solely by Pakistan since 2009, showcasing the country’s improved security and cricket infrastructure.
  • Hybrid model considered: Due to potential safety concerns over India’s participation, there are talks of a hybrid model in which some games could be held at neutral venues such as the UAE. This approach is designed to ensure the safety of all teams while maintaining the integrity of the event.
  • Afghanistan debut: Afghanistan will appear in the ICC Champions Trophy for the first time, underscoring the growth of cricket in non-traditional countries.
  • Former champions absent: Notably, three-time champions Sri Lanka will be absent from the tournament, marking a major shift in the competitive landscape.
  • Group stage format: The eight teams will be divided into two groups, with four teams in each group playing a round-robin match. The top two teams in each group will advance to the semi-finals.
  • High-Tech Venue: The match will be played at a newly refurbished stadium which includes state-of-the-art facilities in Islamabad to enhance the spectator experience.
  • Key Matches: The expected matches include India vs Pakistan on March 1, 2025, which is expected to attract huge crowds and excitement.

These features make the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 a highly anticipated event in the cricket calendar.