The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a substantial budget of ₹544 crore ($65 million) for the 2025 Champions Trophy, anticipating possible relocation expenses due to uncertainties surrounding India’s participation in Pakistan.
The budget, ratified during the ICC’s Annual General Meeting in Colombo, includes ₹292 crore ($35 million) for event operations, ₹167 crore ($20 million) for participation and prize money, and ₹83 crore ($10 million) for production costs.
The Champions Trophy, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, 2025, will be hosted primarily in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, although the venues may change if India opts out of playing in Pakistan.
A contingency plan for relocating some matches has been accounted for within the approved budget.
The Chief Executives Committee (CEC) noted that significant renovations are underway at the Pakistani venues. An ICC inspection team is set to visit next month to assess the progress.
The ICC has shared a draft schedule with stakeholders, with all of India’s matches proposed to be held in Lahore, including the highly anticipated India-Pakistan match on March 1, 2025.
Draft Schedule Highlights:
- Opening Match: February 19, New Zealand vs. Pakistan in Karachi
- Key Matches:
- February 20, Bangladesh vs. India
- March 1, India vs. Pakistan in Lahore
- Semi-finals: March 5 in Karachi, March 6 in Rawalpindi
- Final: March 9 in Lahore, with March 10 as a reserve day
The ICC’s proactive financial planning underscores its commitment to delivering a successful tournament while navigating geopolitical uncertainties.
For detailed information, visit Cricbuzz.