Champions Trophy 2025: Lahore to host grand opening ceremony
What's the story
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), along with the International Cricket Council (ICC), will host the opening ceremony of the 2025 Champions Trophy on February 16.
The ceremony will be held at Huzoori Bagh, inside the historic Lahore Fort.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has approved a series of events leading to this grand occasion, including the inaugural match between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand on February 19 at Karachi's National Stadium.
Stadium inauguration
PCB to unveil renovated Gaddafi Stadium
In the lead-up to the Champions Trophy, the PCB will officially inaugurate the newly-renovated Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 7.
Notably, Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has been invited as the chief guest for the momentous occasion.
This will be one of the many events lined up by the PCB and ICC, ahead of the opening ceremony and inaugural match of the tournament.
Ceremony details
National Stadium in Karachi to be unveiled on February 11
The PCB has also scheduled a ceremony on February 11 to unveil the new National Stadium in Karachi.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari is expected to grace the event as the chief guest.
The board and ICC are also finalizing details for a press conference and photoshoot of team captains, likely to be held on February 16 in Lahore.
Venue
India to play matches in UAE
The opening ceremony is likely to draw officials from different cricket boards, celebrities, cricket legends, and government officials.
However, it is unlikely that Team India skipper Rohit Sharma will attend the events in Lahore.
Notably, India will play their Champions Trophy matches in the UAE under the hybrid model chalked in by the ICC, PCB, and BCCI.
If India reach final, the summit clash would also be held in the UAE on March 9.