The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to begin today, marking a historic occasion as Pakistan hosts a major ICC event for the first time in nearly 30 years. Over the next 19 days, eight teams will compete in 15 matches, with the tournament expected to deliver thrilling cricket action. The defending champions, Pakistan, will kick off the tournament by taking on New Zealand in the opening match at Karachi’s National Stadium at 2 PM local time. Matches will be held across three Pakistani cities—Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi—with additional games taking place in Dubai, UAE.
In terms of security, the Karachi traffic police have issued a detailed traffic management plan to ensure smooth transportation for both fans and regular commuters. Designated parking areas have been set up, and strict traffic restrictions will be enforced around key stadium areas to manage the large crowds. To ensure the safety of all attendees, more than 5,000 security personnel have been deployed across the venues.
The tournament will open with a grand ceremony, featuring an impressive air show by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). Audiences will be treated to thrilling aerobatic maneuvers by the JF-17 Thunder, F-16, and Sher Dil jets, setting an exciting tone for the upcoming matches.
Fans around the world will have multiple options to watch the tournament. In Pakistan, the matches will be broadcast on PTV and Ten Sports, with streaming available on platforms such as Myco and Tamasha. Internationally, viewers in India can watch the matches via JioStar (Jio Hotstar live streaming and TV coverage on Star & Network 18), while audiences in the UAE can tune in to CricLife Max and CricLife Max2, with streaming available on STARZPLAY. The tournament will also be available in the UK through Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event, and other platforms, while in the USA and Canada, it can be viewed on WillowTV and the Willow by Cricbuzz app (with Hindi coverage available).
To add to the excitement, the ICC has announced a prize pool of $6.9 million for the tournament, which is a 53% increase from the 2017 edition. The winning team will receive $2.24 million, while the runners-up will earn $1.12 million. Additionally, the official tournament song, Jeeto Baazi Khel Ke, performed by Atif Aslam, celebrates Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage and love for cricket.
With the tournament finally underway, cricket fans are eagerly anticipating the action and drama that this prestigious event will bring.
