The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to begin in the coming Wednesday with hosts Pakistan kicking-off the tournament against New Zealand in Karachi. India, who will aim to secure their third title, begin their campaign against Bangladesh the following day in Dubai. A total of eight teams are participating in the marquee event, which will run till March 9.
If we talk about the prize money, the winners of the upcoming Champions Trophy will receive a whopping USD 2.24 million cash reward. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a 53 per cent hike in its prize money pool for the elite ICC tournament. The winners' purse would be close to 20 crore in Indian currency.
Meanwhile, the team finishing second will get almost half the amount, USD 1.12 million (INR 9.72 crore), while the other two semi-finalists will take home USD 560,000 (INR 4.86 crore). The total prize pool has increased to USD 6.9 million (Rs 60 crore approx).
"The substantial prize pot underscores the ICC's ongoing commitment to investing in the sport and maintaining the global prestige of our events," ICC chairman Jay Shah said in a statement ahead of the tournament which will be held in Pakistan and the UAE.
Each group stage win would be worth over USD 34,000 (INR 30 lakh) for the victorious team. Teams finishing in fifth or sixth place will receive USD 350,000 each (INR three crore), while the seventh and eighth-placed sides will take home USD 140,000 (INR 1.2 crore).
Additionally, all eight teams will receive a guaranteed USD 125,000 each (INR 1.08 crore) for participating in the event.
This tournament marks the first time Pakistan will host an ICC event since 1996. However, India will play all their matches in Dubai owing to security concerns related to travelling to Pakistan. The Pakistan leg will feature games in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.
"The ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 represents a pivotal moment for cricket, reviving a tournament that highlights the pinnacle of ODI talent, where every match is critical," the ICC chairman emphasised in his statement. "Beyond the financial incentive, this tournament ignites fierce competition, captivates fans worldwide, and plays a vital role in fostering the growth and long-term sustainability of cricket for future generations," Shah added.
The men's Champions Trophy was held every four years from 2009 to 2017 before a COVID disruption and deliberations on its relevance led to it being postponed. The tournament was first introduced as a biennial event in 1998. The women's Champions Trophy will make its debut in 2027 in the T20 format.
-with PTI inputs
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