“Champions Trophy History showcases the journey of this prestigious cricket tournament, highlighting memorable matches, champions, and its evolution since 1998.”The ICC Champions Trophy is an international cricket tournament organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). It is played in the One-Day International (ODI) format and happens every four years.
Key Facts:
- First Held: 1998 in Bangladesh
- Next Edition: 2025 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates
- Number of Teams: 8
- Format: Group stage followed by knockout matches
- Current Champion: Pakistan (won their first title in 2017)
- Most Successful Teams: Australia and India (2 titles each)
- Top Scorer: Chris Gayle (West Indies) with 791 runs
- Top Wicket-Taker: Kyle Mills (New Zealand) with 28 wickets
Purpose and History
The Champions Trophy was first introduced as the ICC KnockOut Trophy in 1998. The goal was to raise funds to promote cricket in countries where the game was less popular.
It is often compared to the FIFA Confederations Cup in football because both are smaller tournaments that complement larger events like the Cricket World Cup.
For more details, visit the official ICC website: icc-cricket.com.
Champions Trophy History and Its Early Purpose
The first ICC Champions Trophy was held in Bangladesh in June 1998, 23 years after the Cricket World Cup had started.
At that time, six editions of the World Cup had already been completed. The first two tournaments took place in countries where cricket was less popular—Bangladesh and Kenya—to help grow the sport in those regions.
The funds collected from these events were used to support the development of cricket in those countries. Since 2002, the tournament’s hosting has rotated informally among ICC member nations, with six countries hosting at least one match.
Format and Champions of the ICC Champions Trophy
The ICC Champions Trophy features a qualification phase, which takes place during the previous Cricket World Cup. The top eight ranked teams from the World Cup, including the host nation, qualify for the tournament. Over eight editions of the tournament, a total of 13 teams have participated, with eight teams competing in the 2017 edition.
Australia and India are the most successful teams, each winning the title twice. South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Pakistan have won the tournament once each. Seven teams have participated in every edition of the Champions Trophy.
Pakistan are the current champions, having won the 2017 tournament in England and Wales. The next edition will take place in 2025 in Pakistan.
Evolution of the ICC Champions Trophy (2002-2017)
Since 2002, the ICC Champions Trophy has been hosted by full ICC member nations, with the number of teams reduced to eight. Known as the “Mini World Cup,” it was initially planned as a knockout tournament to keep it short and distinct from the World Cup. However, starting in 2002, the format was changed to include a round-robin stage followed by knockout matches, still concluding within about two weeks.
The number of participating teams has varied. Originally, all full ICC members and some associate members (from 2000 to 2004) took part. Since 2009, only the top eight teams in the ICC ODI Rankings, determined six months before the tournament, have been included.
The Champions Trophy has been hosted in seven countries, with England hosting it three times. Initially held every two years, it shifted to a four-year cycle like the World Cup after 2006. Security concerns led to the 2008 edition being moved from Pakistan to South Africa in 2009.
Although there were discussions about discontinuing the tournament after the 2013 and 2017 editions, it was reinstated, with the next edition scheduled for 2025.
Revival and Rebranding of the ICC Champions Trophy (2025 Onwards)
On November 13, 2024, the ICC introduced a refreshed visual identity for the Champions Trophy. This included a new, unconventional typographic logo revealed through a brand launch video. The redesign also brought back the iconic white jackets, paying homage to the tournament’s history.
Pakistan was initially announced as the sole host for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, due to India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan citing security concerns, an agreement was reached between the BCCI and PCB. The ICC decided that the tournament, scheduled for February and March 2025, would be co-hosted by Pakistan and the UAE, with matches taking place at both venues.
Qualification for the ICC Champions Trophy
In the first eight editions of the ICC Champions Trophy, qualification was based on the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings. The early tournaments featured pre-quarterfinal matches for some teams to progress to the quarterfinals. The number of participating teams started with 9 in 1998, increased to 11 in 2000, and then to 12 in 2002.
By 2006, the number of teams was reduced to 10, with four teams competing in a qualifying round-robin stage, from which two advanced to the main tournament. Starting in 2009, the format was streamlined, and only the top eight teams in the ICC ODI Rankings qualified.
From the 2025 edition onwards, the top eight teams from the most recent ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will qualify directly for the tournament.
Tournament Format of the ICC Champions Trophy
The ICC Champions Trophy differs from the Cricket World Cup in several ways. While the World Cup spans over a month, the Champions Trophy lasts around two and a half weeks. Additionally, the Champions Trophy features fewer teams, with the latest editions including 8 teams compared to 10 in the World Cup.
Early Formats (1998-2004)
In the first two tournaments (1998 and 2000), the format was a straight knockout, with losing teams immediately eliminated. In 1998, nine teams competed, with one pre-quarterfinal match and the remaining eight teams in a knockout round. Similarly, in 2000, 11 teams participated, with three pre-quarterfinal matches.
In 2002 and 2004, the format shifted to round-robin stages. Twelve teams were divided into four pools of three, and the top team from each pool advanced to the semifinals. Each team played only four matches (two in the pool stage, a semifinal, and a final) to win the tournament.
Current Format (2009 Onwards)
From 2009 onwards, the tournament adopted a more structured format. Eight teams were divided into two pools of four, playing in a round-robin stage. The top two teams from each pool advanced to the semifinals. The tournament format ensured a compact schedule, with only 15 matches over two and a half weeks.
Future Editions
Starting in 2025, the ICC Champions Trophy will continue to involve eight teams, with specific details of the format for that edition yet to be finalized. The 2025 tournament will be co-hosted by Pakistan and the UAE, with India set to host the 2029 edition.
Summary of Tournament Formats
| Year | Host(s) | Teams | Matches | Preliminary Stage | Final Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Bangladesh | 9 | 8 | 1 Pre-Quarterfinal match | Knockout: 7 matches |
| 2000 | Kenya | 11 | 10 | 3 Pre-Quarterfinal matches | Knockout: 7 matches |
| 2002 | Sri Lanka | 12 | 15 | 4 Groups of 3 teams (12 matches) | Knockout of 4 teams (3 matches) |
| 2004 | England | 12 | 15 | Same as 2002 | Same as 2002 |
| 2006 | India | 10 | 21 | Qualifying group of 4 teams (6 matches) | 2 Groups of 4 teams + Knockout of 4 teams |
| 2009 | South Africa | 8 | 15 | 2 Groups of 4 teams (12 matches) | Knockout: 3 matches |
| 2013 | England and Wales | 8 | 15 | Same as 2009 | Same as 2009 |
| 2017 | England and Wales | 8 | 15 | Same as 2009 | Same as 2009 |
| 2025 | Pakistan and UAE | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2029 | India | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Results of the ICC Champions Trophy
The ICC Champions Trophy has seen many exciting matches and memorable moments since its inception.
The tournament started in 1998 in Bangladesh, where South Africa defeated the West Indies by 4 wickets to claim the title. In 2000, New Zealand won their first major ICC title, beating India in Kenya.
The 2002 edition in Sri Lanka ended with India and Sri Lanka being declared co-champions due to rain interruptions. In 2004, the West Indies won a thrilling final against England at the Oval.
Australia dominated the next two tournaments, winning in 2006 in India and 2009 in South Africa. India claimed the 2013 title in a rain-affected final against England in Birmingham.
The 2017 edition saw Pakistan defeating arch-rivals India by a massive 180 runs at The Oval. The 2025 Champions Trophy will be co-hosted by Pakistan and the UAE, while India will host the 2029 edition.
