ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India-Pakistan match tickets sold out
What's the story
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy match between India and Pakistan has seen an unprecedented demand for tickets.
The online sale, which started on Monday, saw all the tickets being sold within minutes.
Over 1,50,000 fans were in the virtual queue to secure their seats for this highly-anticipated cricket event.
The surge in demand led to waiting times exceeding an hour on the ticketing platform.
Match details
Dubai International Cricket Stadium to host India-Pakistan match
The highly-anticipated India-Pakistan match will be played on February 23 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The match will be a part of the group stage matches of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which will be co-hosted by Pakistan and the UAE.
With a capacity of 25,000 spectators, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium will only add to the demand for the match.
Fan reaction
Fans express surprise at speed of ticket sales
The quick-fire sale of tickets for the India-Pakistan match shocked residents and cricket lovers alike.
Dubai resident Sudhashree recounted her experience, saying, "I anticipated a long queue, but the speed at which tickets vanished was shocking. By the time I secured my place, only two categories remained, both beyond my budget."
This is how many fans felt, surprised and disappointed at not getting tickets.
Economic impact
High ticket demand reflects match's popularity
The demand for the India-Pakistan match tickets was witnessed across almost all categories, including the Dh2,000 (approx ₹47,434) Platinum and Dh5,000 (approx. ₹1.8 lakh) Grand Lounge sections.
This frenzy highlights the massive popularity and importance of the India-Pakistan match.
Industry experts anticipate that the match will drive economic activity in hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors.
Tournament overview
Champions Trophy 2025: A look at the tournament
The 2025 Champions Trophy will be played over two weeks with the top eight teams playing 15 matches across Pakistan and UAE.
Group A has Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, while Group B has Afghanistan, England, Australia, and South Africa.
The tournament will start on February 19 with hosts Pakistan taking on New Zealand in Karachi.
Team India
India's journey in the Champions Trophy 2025
Led by Rohit Sharma, Team India will kick off its Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20.
They will face Pakistan on February 23 and New Zealand on March 2 in the group stage.
Pakistan will enter as the defending champions, while India last won the tournament in 2013 under the leadership of MS Dhoni.