ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Fixtures, Squads, News Updates & More
Just over a month remains until the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy launches in Pakistan and the UAE, with the eight top-ranked men’s ODI teams ready to battle for the silverware.
Know who won the most ICC Champions Trophy titles since the tournament started in 1998 and until 2017. Also, know how many teams have lifted the trophy.
The tournament begins on February 19 with a clash between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi.
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy marks the tournament’s return after eight years and is set to be unique for another reason: the so-called hybrid model that saw the UAE added as a neutral venue.
The ICC confirmed India would play their games in Dubai owing to the historically tense rivalry between India and Pakistan.
Despite the criticism by some who believe India will receive an unfair advantage in the competition, excitement is also building after the release of the official schedule, as fans await the release of the national squads.
The last ICC Champions Trophy was hosted in 2017 in England and Wales, with Pakistan claiming the glory.
ICC announces 2025 Champions Trophy schedule and fixtures
The ICC announced the 2025 Champions Trophy schedule and fixtures on December 24, 2024, with Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi as the three venues in Pakistan and Dubai hosting India’s three group-stage matches and the first semi-final.
The tournament opens when defending champions Pakistan face New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi.
2025 ICC Champions Trophy groups
Group A
| Team | Number of titles | Years won |
| Pakistan (host) | 1 | 2017 |
| India | 2 | 2002, 2013 (co-winner) |
| New Zealand | 1 | 2000 |
| Bangladesh | 0 | - |
Group B
| Team | Number of titles | Years won |
| South Africa | 1 | 1998 |
| Australia | 2 | 2006, 2009 |
| Afghanistan | 0 | - |
| England | 0 | - |
This edition of the Champions Trophy is the first not to include Sri Lanka, who failed to qualify, while Afghanistan are set to debut in the competition.
England is the only nation to have announced their squad at the time of writing.
According to the BBC, Jos Buttler will captain a squad that includes Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, and Mark Wood.
2025 ICC Champions Trophy fixtures
All matches will be day-night games
| Date | Fixture | Venue | Time (local) |
| February 19 | Pakistan vs New Zealand | Karachi | 14:00 |
| February 20 | Bangladesh vs India | Dubai | 13:00 |
| February 21 | Afghanistan vs South Africa | Karachi | 14:00 |
| February 22 | Afghanistan vs South Africa | Lahore | 14:00 |
| February 23 | Pakistan vs India | Dubai | 13:00 |
| February 24 | Bangladesh vs New Zealand | Rawalpindi | 14:00 |
| February 25 | Australia vs South Africa | Rawalpindi | 14:00 |
| February 26 | Afghanistan vs England | Lahore | 14:00 |
| February 27 | Pakistan vs Bangladesh | Rawalpindi | 14:00 |
| February 28 | Afghanistan vs Australia | Lahore | 14:00 |
| March 1 | South Africa vs England | Karachi | 14:00 |
| March 2 | New Zealand vs India | Dubai | 13:00 |
| March 4 | Semi-final 1 | Dubai | 13:00 |
| March 5 | Semi-final 2 | Lahore | 14:00 |
| March 9 | Final | Lahore * | 14:00 |
| March 10 | Reserve Day |
*If India qualify, the final will be played in Dubai instead
Explaining the 2025 Champions Trophy hybrid model
One of the recent talking points was the possibility of India refusing to play their games in Pakistan due to long-standing tension between the nations.
The Indian government then barred the national team from travelling to their neighbouring country, which in turn delayed the confirmation of fixtures.
EPSNCricinfo reported previously that the ICC Board held an urgent meeting in November 2024 where a tournament ‘hybrid model’ was to be discussed.
That model was eventually adopted, with India to play their matches in Dubai after an agreement was reached between the two respective cricket boards.
However, some have argued that India have been given an unfair advantage as their group-stage games all take place at the Dubai International Stadium, as well as the first semi-final.
The hybrid model will also see Pakistan playing at neutral venues for any tournaments in India until the end of the 2031 men’s cycle, including the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Australia and India have both won the ICC Champions Trophy twice, while Bangladesh and England (and debutants Afghanistan) are yet to taste glory in the tournament.
Which venues will host 2025 Champions Trophy matches?
National Stadium, Karachi
The National Stadium in Karachi is the biggest in Pakistan, with a capacity of 34,328, and hosted its first game from February 26 to March 1 in 1955 when India travelled for a test match.
The venue will also host the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy’s opening match.
Pakistan also has an enviable test record at what could be considered its stronghold in the longer format, having lost only two matches out of 45 in history.
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
The fourth-largest cricket stadium in the country, Gaddafi Stadium has a capacity of 27,000 and was the first in Pakistan to be fitted with modern floodlights.
It also serves as the home of the national team and the Pakistan Cricket Board.
South Africa and England’s last group-stage clash takes place in Lahore, as well as the second semi-final and final of the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
The stadium in Rawalpindi is new by modern standards and was established in 1992, becoming synonymous with legendary Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.
The ground has a capacity of 18,000 and was built to replace the city’s Club Cricket Ground.
Pakistan will face Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, as well as a mouthwatering clash between Australia and South Africa.
Dubai International Stadium, Dubai
One of three main cricket stadiums in the country, the venue also known as Dubai Sports City has a reported seating capacity of between 25,000 and 30,000.
The stadium first came to prominence as a venue for the 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup.
As the venue for all of India’s group-stage games, a charged encounter against Pakistan will likely result in fireworks in Dubai, and the venue could feature prominently if India advance.
2025 Champions Trophy must-watch matches
February 19: Pakistan vs New Zealand, Karachi
The opening game of the tournament often sets the tone and Pakistan will likely use this game as a litmus test for their chances of defending the Champions Trophy title.
February 21: Afghanistan vs South Africa, Karachi
Afghanistan will have a point to prove in their opening game of their debut tournament, while South Africa will be aiming to make a statement after falling short in the T20 World Cup final.
February 22: Australia vs England, Lahore
The clash between the famed rivals will undoubtedly produce the goods, with Australia holding bragging rights after retaining the Ashes in 2023 and England eager to get revenge.
February 23: Pakistan vs India, Dubai
Not much more needs to be said about this match - two fierce historic rivals meeting on neutral ground with honour on the line. Keep a close eye on this game and its bearing on the tournament.
March 1: South Africa vs England, Karachi
This game could be crucial to either country’s hopes of advancing in the 2025 Champions Trophy, and will likely be a keenly-contested encounter.