ICC declares 2025 Champions Trophy as the most-viewed tournament, according to reports.
The record-breaking 2025 ICC Men's Champions Trophy surpassed all previous viewership records, establishing itself as the most watched edition of the tournament in history. The tournament, jointly hosted by Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, amassed a staggering 368 billion global viewing minutes – a notable 19% increase from the 2017 edition.
Audience data indicated an average of 308 million global viewing minutes per over, making it the highest-ever for any ICC event, showcasing the intense passion and engagement of viewers throughout the tournament. The most-watched fixture in the tournament's history was the final match on March 9 between India and New Zealand, which gathered 65.3 billion live viewing minutes globally. This figure marks a 52.1% increase over the 2017 final, where Pakistan defeated India to claim their first Champions Trophy title.
Key markets such as Australia, India, Pakistan, and the USA saw significant growth in viewership, with India specifically making broadcast history as the third most watched ICC game ever, following two matches from the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup involving India. The tournament was accessible across 29 channels in nine languages, with innovations such as Indian Sign Language and Audio Descriptive Commentary to enhance inclusivity and reach.
ICC Chair Jay Shah praised the record viewership, stating it as a clear sign of the game's expanding global footprint and growing fanbase. The tournament's success in diverse markets and its inclusive broadcasting approach demonstrates cricket’s increasing appeal beyond traditional strongholds, driving the sport's global growth momentum. The massive engagement, particularly around the thrilling final and India's victory, boosted cricket’s profile and sparked passion within fans worldwide, setting a new benchmark for future ICC events.
The 2029 edition of the Champions Trophy will be held in India, and cricket is set to be part of the Olympic Games for the first time in 128 years in 2028.
Sports fans around the world showed their intense passion for cricket during the 2025 ICC Men's Champions Trophy, with the final match between India and New Zealand becoming the most-watched fixture in the tournament's history, amassing 65.3 billion live viewing minutes globally. This figure marked a significant increase compared to the 2017 final, setting a new record for ICC events, and highlighting the growing appeal of cricket in diverse markets, including sports-loving countries like the USA, India, Pakistan, and Australia.
