ICC Resolves Champions Trophy Dispute

The long-standing complications surrounding the Champions Trophy have finally been resolved. On Thursday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced in a press release that it has accepted all demands from India and Pakistan. As a result, India’s matches in the Champions Trophy will be held at neutral venues. Furthermore, matches between India and Pakistan in future ICC events hosted in India will also take place at neutral venues.

The 2025 Champions Trophy, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan, will follow a hybrid model. According to the ICC, all matches involving India in Pakistan during the 2024–2027 cycle will be played at neutral venues. In return, Pakistan’s matches in ICC events hosted by India during the same cycle will also be held at neutral venues.

This agreement applies to the 2025 Men’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan, the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup in India, and the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Additionally, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been granted hosting rights for the 2028 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which will also operate under the neutral venue arrangement.

The ICC will announce the full schedule of the Champions Trophy and disclose the locations of neutral venues for India’s matches at a later date. It is worth noting that the host nation retains the authority to decide on the neutral venues.