The Champions Trophy next year will have a rich prize fund, with the champions to take home a whopping cash prize of USD 2.24 million, after a 53% hike in the overall prize money was announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The tournament, which has eight teams participating, will begin on February 19.
The title winners will take home almost 20 crores in Indian Rupees, the runners-up USD 1.12 million (around INR 9.72 crore). The losers in the semi-finals will get USD 560,000 (about INR 4.86 crore). The prize money for the tournament has been increased to USD 6.9 million (about INR 60 crore).
ICC Chairman Jay Shah said the boost in the prize purse is testament to the ICC's commitment to investing in the game and maintaining the international standing of its events, prior to the tournament to be staged in Pakistan and the UAE.
Wins in the group stage will be rewarded with more than USD 34,000 (INR 30 lakh) for every winning team. Fifth and sixth-placed teams will receive USD 350,000 (INR 3 crore) each, and seventh and eighth-placed teams will get USD 140,000 (INR 1.2 crore). Each team that plays will also be assured of a payment of USD 125,000 (INR 1.08 crore) for appearing.
This tournament is Pakistan's first hosting of an ICC event since 1996, although India will host all its matches in Dubai because of security issues regarding traveling to Pakistan. India, captained by Rohit Sharma, will begin their campaign on February 20 against Bangladesh.
The Pakistan venues for the tournament will be Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. The 2025 edition will have eight teams in two groups of four, with the two best teams from each group qualifying for the semi-finals.
"The ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 is an important milestone for cricket, and it brings back a tournament that celebrates the best of ODI cricket, where each game is a must-win," ICC Chairman Jay Shah said. He further emphasized that in addition to the monetary benefits, the tournament spurs fierce competition, garners international attention, and aids in the long-term growth and sustenance of cricket.".
The Champions Trophy was previously conducted annually from 2009 to 2017 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and debates on its necessity. The tournament began as a biennial event in 1998.
The women's Champions Trophy will debut in 2027 in a T20 format.
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