The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday announced the fixtures for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, which will take place from 19 February to 9 March in Pakistan and UAE.

The 15-match, eight-team event returns to the cricket calendar for the first time since the last edition was staged in 2017, with defending champions Pakistan hosting their first global cricket tournament since 1996, alongside the UAE which was confirmed as the neutral venue.

The thrilling 19-day competition, in which every match counts in the bid to claim the iconic Champions Trophy white jackets, will see Bangladesh, India, New Zealand and Pakistan form Group A with Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa in Group B.

The stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi will host the matches in Pakistan, while Dubai will host the matches in the UAE. Ahead of tickets going on sale, fans are encouraged to register their interest for tickets here.

The Champions Trophy begins with hosts Pakistan facing New Zealand on 19 February - the opening day of the event - in Karachi. Other key match-ups include Bangladesh taking on India on the second day of the competition in Dubai and Afghanistan facing South Africa on 21 February in Karachi.

On 22 February, one of cricket’s most celebrated rivalries will pit Australia against England in Lahore, ahead of an unmissable Pakistan versus India contest on 23 February in Dubai.

The quickfire event showcases the very best about cricket in one big day out, with the first semi-final scheduled to be played on 4 March in Dubai and the second semi-final slated for 5 March in Lahore. Lahore will host the final on 9 March, however if India qualifies for the final it will be played in Dubai, where the victorious team will claim the famous white jackets. Both semi-finals and the final will have reserve days.

ICC Chair, Jay Shah said: “The ICC is delighted to release the schedule for the Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, marking the tournament's much-anticipated return since 2017. The thrilling competition, in which eight teams battle it out to claim the iconic white jackets, will provide fans with 15 matches of unmissable entertainment.

“This edition will take place in Pakistan and the UAE, and with Dubai also serving as the home of the ICC headquarters, it represents an opportunity to showcase the best of cricket with heritage and modernity. This Champions Trophy is truly poised to be an unmissable celebration of the World Cricket’s finest.”

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi said: "We are pleased that an agreement has been reached based on the principles of equality and respect, showcasing the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that defines our sport.

“Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the ICC members who played a constructive role in helping us achieve a mutually beneficial solution. Their efforts have been invaluable in promoting the interests of international cricket.

“Hosting the Champions Trophy is a significant milestone for Pakistan, highlighting our commitment to promoting cricket at the highest level and showcasing our capabilities as a premier event organizer. We are dedicated to ensuring that this tournament will be a memorable experience for players, officials, and fans alike.

“Pakistan is elated to welcome the world to the Champions Trophy, and we look forward to extending our renowned hospitality to all."

ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 schedule

19 Feb – Pakistan v New Zealand, National Stadium, Karachi

20 Feb – Bangladesh v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

21 Feb – Afghanistan v South Africa, National Stadium, Karachi

22 Feb – Australia v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

23 Feb – Pakistan v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

24 Feb - Bangladesh v New Zealand, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

25 Feb – Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

26 Feb – Afghanistan v England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

27 Feb – Pakistan v Bangladesh, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

28 Feb – Afghanistan v Australia, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

1 Mar – South Africa v England, National Stadium, Karachi

2 Mar – New Zealand v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

4 Mar – Semi-final 1, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

5 Mar – Semi-final 2, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

9 Mar – Final - Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

All matches start at 14h00 Pakistan Standard Time

Semi-final 1 will involve India if they qualify

Semi-final 2 will involve Pakistan if they qualify

If India qualify for the final it will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

About the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy

Australia and India are the two most successful sides in the ICC Champions Trophy since its inception in 1998 when it was known as the ICC Knockout Trophy. Both the sides have won the event twice, with Australia being the only side to win back-to-back titles - in 2006 in Mumbai, India, and in 2009 in Centurion, South Africa. India shared the title with hosts Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2002 before winning again in Birmingham, England, in 2014.

Other past winners are South Africa (Dhaka, Bangladesh, 1998), New Zealand (Nairobi, Kenya, 2000), West Indies (The Oval, London, 2004) and Pakistan (The Oval, London, 2017).

Broadcast Rights in Afghanistan

Cricket fans across Afghanistan will be delighted to hear that Ariana Television and Radio Network (ATN) has secured the exclusive rights to broadcast the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy live, bringing all the action directly to viewers in Afghanistan.

This will be the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy and it will be hosted in Pakistan.

The final day of the inaugural Lanka T10 league matches at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on Tuesday provided plenty of action for the fans.

Kandy Bolts qualified as the fourth team in the playoffs, Hambantota Bangla Tigers joined Jaffna Titans in Qualifier 1, Kasun Rajitha performed the second hat-trick of the tournament and Kusal Mendis scored the second fastest fifty.

The line-up for today’s playoffs:

Qualifier 1 – Jaffna Titans vs Hambantota Bangla Tigers started play at 2.30pm.

Eliminator – Galle Marvels vs Kandy Bolts will follow at 4:45pm

Qualifier 2 – Runner-up of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator at 7pm.

These three matches will be screened live on Ariana Television. 

Tuesday’s match however, saw pace setters Jaffna Titans come up with a complete team performance to outplay Colombo Jaguars by nine wickets and consolidate their position at the top of the table with 12 points from 7 matches (5 wins) and keep their unbeaten record in the tournament intact. 

It was a make-or-break game for Colombo who came off second best against a Jaffna outfit that was formidable in every department of the game.

Invited to bat first, Colombo struggled against some quality bowling and could muster only 99-8. 

In a crucial knockout match that went to the wire, Kandy Bolts edged out Nuwara Eliya Kings by 5 runs to fill the fourth and last slot of the play-offs.   

Nuwara Eliya Kings fast bowler Kasun Rajitha’s second hat-trick of the tournament failed to help as Kandy Captain Thisara Perera outshone him to take his team into the next round. 

In a low scoring third game for the day Hambantota Bangla Tigers beat Galle Marvels by 5 wickets to grab the second spot and make it to Qualifier 1 pushing Galle to third spot to play in the Eliminator. 

The world’s best players, coaches and fans for 2024 – as well as the best goals – will be revealed during a gala dinner at the renowned Aspire Academy in Doha on Tuesday, December 17, FIFA has confirmed.

According to a press release issued on Monday, the Best FIFA Football Awards 2024 will be broadcast live on FIFA.com and takes place on the eve of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 202 final between Real Madrid C.F. and CF Pachuca.

It also coincides with the second anniversary of the FIFA World Cup final in Qatar. 

The dinner will be attended by dignitaries including the FIFA President, FIFA Council members, FIFA Legends and other local and regional ambassadors and trailblazers of the game.

The categories this year are The Best FIFA Men’s Player; The Best FIFA Women’s Player; The Best FIFA Men’s Coach; The Best FIFA Women’s Coach; The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper; and The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper. 

There is also the new FIFA Marta Award and the FIFA Puskás Award – for the best goals in women’s and men’s football.

The Best FIFA Men’s Player nominees

Dani Carvajal, Spain and Real Madrid

Erling Haaland, Norway and Manchester City

Federico Valverde, Uruguay and Real Madrid

Florian Wirtz, Germany and Bayer Leverkusen

Jude Bellingham, England and Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappé, France and Paris Saint-Germain/Real Madrid

Lamine Yamal, Spain and Barcelona

Lionel Messi, Argentina and Inter Miami

Rodri, Spain and Manchester City

Toni Kroos, Germany and Real Madrid (now retired)

Vinícius Jr, Brazil and Real Madrid

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach nominees

Carlo Ancelotti (ITA), Real Madrid

Lionel Scaloni (ARG), Argentina

Luis de la Fuente (ESP), Spain

Pep Guardiola (ESP), Manchester City

Xabi Alonso (ESP), Bayer Leverkusen

The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper nominees

Andriy Lunin, Ukraine and Real Madrid

David Raya, Spain and Arsenal

Ederson, Brazil and Manchester City

Emiliano Martínez, Argentina and Aston Villa

Gianluigi Donnarumma, Italy and Paris Saint-Germain

Mike Maignan, France and AC Milan

Unai Simón, Spain and Athletic Club

FIFA Puskás Award nominees

Hassan Al Haydos (QAT), Qatar v. China PR

Terry Antonis (AUS), Melbourne City v. Western Sydney Wanderers

Yassine Benzia (ALG), Algeria v. South Africa

Walter Bou (ARG), Lanús v. Tigre

Michaell Chirinos (HON), Costa Rica v. Honduras

Federico Dimarco (ITA), Inter Milan v. Frosinone

Alejandro Garnacho (ARG), Everton v. Manchester United

Mohammed Kudus (GHA), West Ham United v. Freiburg

Denis Omedi (UGA), KCCA v. Kitara

Paul Onuachu (NGA), Trabzonspor v. Konyaspor

Jaden Philogene (ENG), Rotherham United v. Hull City

The Best FIFA Women’s Player nominees

Aitana Bonmatí, Spain and Barcelona

Barbra Banda, Zambia and Shanghai Shengli/Orlando Pride

Caroline Graham Hansen, Norway and Barcelona

Keira Walsh, England and Barcelona

Khadija Shaw, Jamaica and Manchester City

Lauren Hemp, England and Manchester City

Lindsey Horan, USA and Olympique Lyonnais

Lucy Bronze, England and Barcelona/Chelsea

Mallory Swanson, USA and Chicago Red Stars

Mariona Caldentey, Spain and Barcelona/Arsenal

Naomi Girma, USA and San Diego Wave

Ona Batlle, Spain and Barcelona

Salma Paralluelo, Spain and Barcelona

Sophia Smith, USA and Portland Thorns

Tabitha Chawinga, Malawi and Paris Saint-Germain/Olympique Lyonnais

Trinity Rodman, USA and Washington Spirit

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach nominees

Arthur Elias (BRA), Brazil

Elena Sadiku (SWE), Celtic

Emma Hayes (ENG), Chelsea/USA

Futoshi Ikeda (JPN), Japan

Gareth Taylor (ENG), Manchester City

Jonatan Giráldez (ESP), Barcelona/Washington Spirit

Sandrine Soubeyrand (FRA), Paris FC

Sonia Bompastor (FRA), Olympique Lyonnais/Chelsea

The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper nominees

Alyssa Naeher, USA and Chicago Red Stars

Ann-Katrin Berger, Germany and Chelsea/NJ/NY Gotham

Ayaka Yamashita, Japan and INAC Kobe Leonessa/Manchester City

Cata Coll, Spain and Barcelona

Mary Earps, England and Manchester United/Paris Saint-Germain

FIFA Marta Award nominees

Delphine Cascarino (FRA), Olympique Lyonnais v. Benfica

Marina Hegering (GER), Essen v. Wolfsburg

Sakina Karchaoui (FRA), France v. Sweden

Paulina Krumbiegel (GER), Duisburg v. Hoffenheim

Marta (BRA), Brazil v. Jamaica

Nina Matejić (SRB), Serbia U-19 Women v. England U-19 Women

Beth Mead (ENG), Arsenal v. West Ham United

Giuseppina Moraca (ITA), Lazio v. Bologna

Asisat Oshoala (NGA), Barcelona v. Benfica

Mayra Pelayo (MEX), Mexico v. USA

Trinity Rodman (USA), USA v. Japan

FIFA Fan Award nominees

José Armando (MEX)

Craig Ferguson (SCO)

Guilherme Gandra Moura (BRA)

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