On Tuesday, December 24, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the complete schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 which will be held between February 19, 2025 to March 9, 2026.
The 50-over tournament returned to the Pakistan cricket calendar for the first time since 2017 and therefore Pakistan have the hosting rights. But India’s games will not be held in Pakistan. As a result, ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches will be held across 3 venues in Pakistan – Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi and 1 venue in the UAE – Dubai. India’s games will be held in Dubai.
The final of the ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held on 9 March, 2026 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, if India do not qualify for the finals. Otherwise, the finals will be held in Dubai.
After extensive deliberation among the ICC, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI), a hybrid model was designed for the ICC Champions tournament schedule and was announced on December 19, 2024.
Additionally, Indian matches have been designated to play the 1st semi-final if they qualify for the last-four stage, while Pakistan are slotted to play in the 2nd semi-final if they advance from the group stage. This arrangement ensures India play their semi-final in Dubai and Pakistan in front of their home crowd in Lahore. Regardless of India’s qualification, the 1st semi-final will be held in Dubai.
It is to be remembered that India, earlier for the Asia Cup 2023 also refused to play in Pakistan. At that time too the ICC used a hybrid model. But it is different from the present ICC Champions Trophy 2025 model.
The Asia Cup 2023 Finals was directly scheduled in Colombo. India reached the finals and defeated Sri Lanka. Notably, only 4 matches were held in Pakistan, while 9 matches were hosted by Sri Lanka. For Asia Cup 2023 edition too, Pakistan had the hosting rights.
Coming to ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan will host 11 out of the 15 matches, if India qualify for the finals match then Pakistan will host only 10 matches.
GROUPS FOR THE ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2025
Group A: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand
Group B: Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan
ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2025 Schedule
| MATCH NO. | DATE | MATCH | VENUE | |
| 1 | 19-02-2026 | Pakistan vs New Zealand | National Stadium, Karachi | |
| 2 | 20-02-2026 | Bangladesh vs India | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | |
| 3 | 21-02-2026 | Afghanistan vs South Africa | National Stadium, Karachi | |
| 4 | 22-02-2026 | Australia vs England | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | |
| 5 | 23-02-2026 | Pakistan vs India | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | |
| 6 | 24-02-2026 | Bangladesh vs New Zealand | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | |
| 7 | 25-02-2026 | Australia vs South Africa | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | |
| 8 | 26-02-2026 | Afghanistan vs England | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | |
| 9 | 27-02-2026 | Pakistan vs Bangladesh | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | |
| 10 | 28-02-2026 | Afghanistan vs Australia | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | |
| 11 | 01-03-2026 | South Africa vs England | National Stadium, Karachi | |
| 12 | 02-03-2026 | New Zealand vs India | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | |
| 13 | 04-03-2026 | Semi-final 1 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | |
| 14 | 05-03-2006 | Semi-final 2 | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | |
| 15 | 09-03-2026 | Final | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | If India do not qualify. |
| Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | If India qualify. |
Both semi-finals will have reserve days. The final will also include a reserve day.
Notably, Pakistan will not travel to India for their matches during the Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025 and the T20 World Cup in 2026.
Pakistan were awarded the hosting rights for the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028.