ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is a much-awaited cricket tournament, which is organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). This tournament is played in the 50-over format and is also known as the “Mini World Cup”. The top eight teams in the world will compete against each other in this competition. ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is going to be very exciting for cricket lovers, as it is being organized for the first time since 2017. Pakistan and UAE will host this tournament.
In this blog, we will discuss in detail the history of the Champions Trophy, the 2025 schedule, participating teams, star players, and other important information. So let’s move toward the main topic:
What is the ICC Champions Trophy?
The ICC Champions Trophy is a prestigious One Day International (ODI) tournament in which the best cricket teams in the world participate. It started in 1998 and was earlier known as the “ICC Knockout Tournament”. Let me tell you that in 2002 it was renamed as “ICC Champions Trophy”. This tournament is usually held at an interval of four years.
History of the ICC Champions Trophy
The inaugural edition was played in 1998. The first edition of the ODI World Cup was played in 1975, while the inaugural edition of the Champions Trophy was held in 1998.
The ICC organized this tournament to develop the game in countries that could not play Tests. This was the reason why the first edition was hosted by Bangladesh and South Africa won the title. Earlier this tournament was named the ICC Knockout Trophy, which became the Champions Trophy in 2002. For your information, let me tell you that in the initial 2 editions played in 1998 and 2000, there were direct knockout matches between 8 teams. However, there were changes in it from the third edition.
Since 2009, the tournament has 8 teams divided into 2 groups in a round-robin format, with the top 2 teams of each group playing in the semi-finals. In the current format of the tournament, a total of 15 matches are played, with the tournament lasting for about two and a half weeks. It’s also interesting to know about the most runs in the champions trophy.
A total of 8 editions have been played so far, in which Australia won the trophy in 2006 and 2009. India has also become champion twice, but both times it did not get the honor of becoming the full champion. The Indian team was the winner in 2013 but in 2002 it had to share the title with Sri Lanka. On the other hand, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, and West Indies have won the title once each.
ICC Champions Trophy Winners List 1998 to 2017
There have been many exciting matches in the history of the ICC Champions Trophy. Below is the champions trophy winners list:
| Year | Host Country | Winner | Runner-up |
| 1998 | Bangladesh | South Africa | West Indies |
| 2000 | Kenya | New Zealand | India |
| 2002 | Sri Lanka | India and Sri Lanka (Joint Winners) | — |
| 2004 | England | West Indies | England |
| 2006 | India | Australia | West Indies |
| 2009 | South Africa | Australia | New Zealand |
| 2013 | England | India | England |
| 2017 | England | Pakistan | India |
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule
ICC recently announced that the next edition of the Champions Trophy will be played in host Pakistan and under a hybrid model. This major ICC tournament is going to return after the year 2017. Let us tell you that the last time Pakistan won this title by defeating India in the final. Let’s know about the ICC champions trophy schedule.
| Date | Match | Venue |
| 19 Feb | Pakistan vs New Zealand | National Stadium, Karachi |
| 20 Feb | Bangladesh vs India | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| 21 Feb | Afghanistan vs South Africa | National Stadium, Karachi |
| 22 Feb | Australia vs England | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 23 Feb | India vs Pakistan | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| 25 Feb | Australia vs South Africa | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| 26 Feb | Afghanistan vs England | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 4 Mar | Semifinal 1 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| 5 Mar | Semifinal 2 | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 9 Mar | Final | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
Champions Trophy vs ODI World Cup:
Both the tournaments are organized by the ICC. The ODI World Cup takes place in 4 years. Whereas there is no such fixed time for the Champions Trophy. However, both have 50-over matches. First the initial league matches, then quarter-finals, and then semi-finals with the finals. Only 8 Champions Trophy teams participate in the Champions Trophy, while earlier 14 and now 10 teams participate in the ODI World Cup.
Champions Trophy
The Champions Trophy is a small tournament. 8 teams participate in it and it is played under the round robin format. It started in the year 1998 and the last edition was played in the year 2017. In such a situation, it is returning once again in the year 2025. This time the tournament will be played in Pakistan and Dubai. The Indian team will not go to Pakistan and will play all its matches in Dubai.
ODI World Cup
The ODI World Cup is the most liked in the world. Earlier 14 teams and now 10 teams participate in it. The year 2023 was its last edition in which 10 teams participated. The Australian team won the title by defeating India in the final. The tournament started in England in 1975 and was hosted by the Test and County Cricket Board till 1983. Later it came under the English Cricket Board.
Things changed in 1987 when it was organized by India and Pakistan under the name “Reliance Cup”. As mentioned, it is considered by the ICC as the most important event in the international cricket calendar.
Prize Money
If we talk about the last two editions, in the year 2017, the ICC gave Rs 37 crore to the winning team for the Champions Trophy. At the same time, in the year 2013, this price was Rs 17 crore. Apart from this, if we talk about the 2023 ODI World Cup, it was Rs 82.93 crore.
Conclusion:
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is going to be a great cricket tournament in which the top eight teams of the world will compete for the title. This tournament will not only be exciting but will also give cricket lovers a chance to enjoy world-class cricket.
Sachin Adgaonkar an expert Sports and i-Gaming writer with 5 years of expertise, adds flair to the game with his dynamic writing skills. His passion for writing is reflected in each article, offering readers insightful analyses and engaging content.
