ICC Champions Trophy 2025 shatters viewership records

A view shows the ICC Champions trophy during a ceremony at the Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium in Peshawar, on February 6, 2025. — Reuters

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy 2025, co-hosted by Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, has etched its name in cricketing history, recording 368 billion global viewing minutes.

The Pakistan Cricket Board, citing a recent ICC press release on Friday, announced that this staggering figure represents a substantial 19% increase from the previous edition held in England and Wales in 2017 in which Pakistan won the Champions Trophy by beating arch-rivals India by 180 runs in the final at The Oval.

The 2025 tournament, which saw India and New Zealand battle it out in a thrilling final in the UAE, marked a triumphant return of an ICC event to Pakistani soil after a 29-year hiatus.

This illustration shows the record-breaking number of views received by ICC Champions Trophy 2025 which was hosted by Pakistan. — PCB

The last time Pakistan hosted such a prestigious tournament was the 1996 Cricket World Cup.

Pakistan's commitment to hosting the event was evident in the extensive renovations and construction undertaken across its stadiums.

The iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, notably revamped in record time, hosted four pivotal matches, including a semi-final. Karachi had the distinct honour of hosting the tournament opener, with Rawalpindi also playing a crucial role in the successful staging of the event.

The grand finale held on March 9 in the UAE between cricketing giants India and New Zealand, became the most-watched Champions Trophy match in history.

It generated an astounding 65.3 billion live viewing minutes globally, marking a phenomenal 52.1% increase over the 2017 final, according to the press release.

Despite the host nation, Pakistan, not performing up to the expectations of its passionate fanbase, viewing hours within the country still witnessed a remarkable 24% surge. This underscores the unwavering support and enthusiasm for cricket among Pakistani viewers.

The global appeal of the tournament was further highlighted by its record-breaking performance in Australia, where viewing hours increased by an impressive 65% compared to the previous edition.

This signals a growing international interest in the Champions Trophy format.

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