ICC Champions Trophy 2025 – What You Need to Know

The ICC Champions Trophy returns in 2025 and fans are already buzzing. If you’re wondering when the matches happen, where to watch, or which teams could lift the trophy, you’re in the right place. Below is a quick rundown that covers the basics and throws in a few tips to make the most of the tournament.

When and Where: The Full Schedule

The tournament kicks off on June 8, 2025 and runs until June 30, 2025. It will be hosted across three venues in England: Lord’s in London, Edgbaston in Birmingham, and the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. Each venue gets a mix of group‑stage games, a semi‑final and the final. The opening match at Lord’s pits the defending champions against a surprise qualifier – a great way to start the action.

Group matches are packed into a tight 10‑day window, so you’ll see back‑to‑back games almost every day. The semi‑finals are set for June 26 at Edgbaston and June 27 at the Ageas Bowl. The grand finale lands back at Lord’s on June 30, under the iconic Pavilion Roof.

How to Watch: TV, Streaming and Ticket Tips

In the UK, the official broadcaster is Sky Sports Cricket. If you have a Sky subscription, you can tune in live on channel 412. For streaming, the Sky Sports app works on smartphones, tablets and smart TVs – just log in with your provider details. Outside the UK, the rights belong to ESPN in the US and Sony Sports in India, both offering live streams on their platforms.

Tickets usually go on sale a month before the tournament. The best way to snag a seat is to register on the official ICC ticket portal and keep an eye on the release date. Early‑bird tickets for group games are cheaper, while semi‑finals and the final will cost more but guarantee a better view.

If you can’t get a ticket, consider a local sports bar that streams the matches. Many pubs in England run special “Champions Trophy nights” with big screens and food deals.

Teams, Players and What to Watch For

Eight teams qualify: India, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, West Indies and Sri Lanka. The format is a single round‑robin, so every team plays each other once. The top two move straight to the final – no semi‑finals this time.

Keep an eye on India’s batting line‑up, especially the explosive combos of Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill. England’s new pace spearhead, Jack Leach, could shine on home soil. Australia’s all‑rounder Mitchell Starc is a match‑winner with his deadly yorkers.

Surprise packages often emerge in a short‑format tournament. Look out for Sri Lanka’s young spinner, Maheesh Rashid, and New Zealand’s versatile wicket‑keeper‑batter, Finn Lloyd.

One story to follow is the impact of the new power‑play rule – teams now have a five‑over mandatory field‑restriction at the start, which could change how captains set their batting order.

Whether you’re a die‑hard fan or a casual viewer, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises drama, big scores and a few nail‑biting finishes. Mark the dates, grab your tickets or set up your streaming app, and get ready for a cricket feast that won’t disappoint.