Tickets for Champions Trophy Final to Be Sold Four Days Ahead of Game-Hybrid Model for 2025 Event

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to start on February 19. However, the tickets for the final on March 9 would open only four days before the match. This is due to a hybrid model they have adopted for the competition, given the fact that India cannot travel to play in Pakistan and vice versa.

The International Cricket Council said tickets for the final will only be available upon the conclusion of the first semifinal on March 4th.

Availability of tickets from the day next to the play-off was compelled by the unique nature of the format of the competition. India's refusal to play in Pakistan led the decision that all Indian matches, including the knockout rounds, will be played in Dubai. This means that the first semi-final will be held in Dubai regardless of how India fares in the tournament. If India makes it to the final, then that match will be played in Dubai as well. The second semi-final will be held in Lahore, Pakistan. In case India is not able to get into the finals, the other semi-final would also be staged in Lahore.

For those hosting the event at Pakistan, the match tickets of Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi would be available starting from 2 pm local time on Tuesday. The date of sale for Dubai has not yet been announced by the organizers. The ICC announced that it will announce more information over the coming days. Ticket prices for Pakistan matches are going to be reasonable; general category tickets are going to cost around 1000 rupees (approximately 3.59 USD), while premium category tickets start from 1500 rupees (approximately 5.38 USD). Tournament director and PCB COO Sumair Ahmad Syed said, "The prices have been so designed that cricket will be made accessible to every walk of life so that everyone of all ages comes to celebrate the event.".

The eight teams for the Champions Trophy, which will be represented by India and Pakistan, both of which will be a part of Group A with Bangladesh and New Zealand. The much-anticipated game between India and Pakistan will be played in the group stage on February 23 at Dubai. The match is considered to be one of the most awaited during the tournament since a lot of rivalry will be portrayed by the two teams.

At the same time, the PCB is taking every measure to make all its stadiums prepared for the event. Renovation work has already gone full throttle at all three host venues in the country, including Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore; National Stadium, Karachi; and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The PCB feels that the upgrading work would be completed as per schedule, and each venue would be ready for the game. In addition, triangular ODI series between New Zealand and South Africa would be played in Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore and National Stadium, Karachi prior to playing the actual Champions Trophy. It will again test two venues before the big event.

The case is no different than the 2023 ODI World Cup held in India. The tickets for that event were issued a bit late in the game as well. The initial sale of the tickets was initiated only 41 days before the commencement of the first match of the tournament. Delaying ticket sales for big international events has been becoming somewhat of a trend, but organizers have still ensured fans that everything will be ready once the tournament commences.

As the tournament draws closer, fans are warming up to the next clashes of the top teams in action. The Champions Trophy promises great cricket action with the best cricketing nations on display, so fans eagerly wait to see the clashes of the high-stakes games. With the hybrid model and tickets expected to be available shortly before the final, hype continues to build as the date for the tournament draws closer.