Termed the Mini World Cup, the Champions Trophy is back after an 8-year gap. It was conceived in 1998, and the main idea was to raise funds for cricket development in the associated nations. ICC decided to host it every two years, but it extended to four years over time. Due to a busy schedule with the rise of the T20 World Cup and World Test Championship, ICC could not find a window for the tournament and scrapped the 2021 edition.
It’s a short tournament played in the 50-over format. The previous edition was held in England, where Pakistan clinched their first title, beating arch-rivals India in the high-voltage final. India and Australia carry the most titles with 2 each, whereas South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and West Indies are the other teams that have won the tournament once.
Pakistan has hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 which will be played in a hybrid model. As the Indian Government didn’t provide the NOC for its National Cricket Team to travel to Pakistan due to political tensions between the Nations, forced ICC to adopt the hybrid model for the mega event. India will play all their matches at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, including knockouts if they qualify.
It’s a huge boost from the economic perspective as Pakistan is staging the ICC event after a gap of close to 29 years.
ICC has delayed the release of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule as Pakistan wasn’t initially ready to accept the hybrid model, but after plenty of meetings, they decided to accept it, eventually cricket emerging as the winner.
On the GUGOBET website, we have carried the ICC Champions Trophy news that provides complete information about the competition.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will commence on February 19th and will be played till March 9th. A total of 8 teams are participating in the event, which is divided into two Groups of 4. Nemesis, India, and Pakistan are in Group A along with Bangladesh and New Zealand. Whereas Group B involves Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. The tournament features 15 matches including the knockouts and will be played day and night. All the contests kick off at 2:30 PM IST.
Sri Lanka and West Indies are the big teams that failed to qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Teams List
Here is the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 team list. Two big names Sri Lanka and West Indies are missing from the list.
| Group A | Group B |
| Pakistan | Australia |
| India | Afghanistan |
| New Zealand | England |
| Bangladesh | South Africa |
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule
| Sl No | Date | Time (IST) | Teams | Venue |
| Match 1 | February 19th | 230 PM | Pakistan vs New Zealand, Group A | National Stadium, Karachi |
| Match 2 | February 20th | 230 PM | Bangladesh vs India, Group A | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Match 3 | February 21st | 230 PM | Afghanistan vs South Africa, Group B | National Stadium, Karachi |
| Match 4 | February 22nd | 230 PM | Australia vs England, Group B | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Match 5 | February 23rd | 230 PM | Pakistan vs India, Group A | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Match 6 | February 24th | 230 PM | Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Group A | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| Match 7 | February 25th | 230 PM | Australia vs South Africa, Group B | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| Match 8 | February 26th | 230 PM | Afghanistan vs England, Group B | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Match 9 | February 27th | 230 PM | Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Group A | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| Match 10 | February 28th | 230 PM | Afghanistan vs Australia, Group B | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Match 11 | March 1st | 230 PM | South Africa vs England, Group B | National Stadium, Karachi |
| Match 12 | March 2nd | 230 PM | New Zealand vs India, Group A | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| 1st Semi-Final | March 4th | 230 PM | TBC vs TBC | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| 2nd Semi-Final | March 5th | 230 PM | TBC vs TBC | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Final | March 9th | 230 PM | TBC vs TBC | TBC |
Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Dubai have been confirmed as the host cities.
The most anticipated Group A contest between India and Pakistan will take place on February 23rd at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. In the most significant blockbuster Group B encounter, traditional rivals, Australia and England, will lock horns against each other at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on February 22nd.
Previous winners list of the ICC Champions Trophy
| Year | Winners |
| 1998 | South Africa |
| 2000 | New Zealand |
| 2002 | India & Sri Lanka |
| 2004 | West Indies |
| 2006 | Australia |
| 2009 | Australia |
| 2013 | India |
| 2017 | Pakistan |
The Champions Trophy was incepted in the year 1998 and so far 8 editions have taken place. South Africa won the inaugural edition of the Champions Trophy held in 1998. Australia and India, hold the major share of success in the Champions Trophy with 2 titles each to their name.
How to qualify for the Champions Trophy?
The top 8 teams in the preceding 50-over World Cup will qualify for the Champions Trophy. Sri Lanka who finished 9th and West Indies, who failed to qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup held in the sub-continent last year, didn’t make it to the Champions Trophy 2025.
How many overs is the Champions Trophy?
The Champions Trophy will be played in a 50-over format.
How many teams are in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
A total of 8 teams are participating in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Teams are divided into two groups with 4 in each.
Who is hosting the Champions Trophy in 2025?
Pakistan is hosting the Champions Trophy in 2025.
Where can I watch the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
In India, Star Sports Network will telecast the tournament. It will be live-streamed on Disney+hotstar. GUGOBET offers live streaming as well.
How many Champions Trophies has India Won?
India has won The Champions Trophy twice. They crowned joint winners along with Sri Lanka in the 2002 edition and lifted the title a second time in 2013.
Will India play in Pakistan in 2025?
No, India will not travel to Pakistan to participate in the Champions Trophy 2025, due to political issues with both countries. India will play all their matches in Dubai.
Despite all the hurdles, ICC finally announced the schedule of the event just a few days ago. Pakistan, who is in terrific form of late, winning their previous three bilateral ODI series, will go in as the favourites. Australia and India, who boost talent will have an eye on the trophy as well.
