Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @icctrophytour
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is poised to earn significant revenue from Champions Trophy matches hosted in the UAE, with more than half of the ticket sales revenue allocated to Pakistan. A formal agreement with the Emirates Cricket Board is expected to be finalized soon.
The Champions Trophy will take place from February 19 to March 9, with India’s matches scheduled in Dubai due to their refusal to tour Pakistan. If Pakistan reaches the final, they will play five matches; four if they reach the semi-finals, and three if eliminated in the group stage.
One of the tournament’s highlights will be the highly anticipated Pakistan-India clash on February 23, originally planned for Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. The PCB had anticipated a packed stadium in Lahore, but India’s decision, citing government restrictions, shifted the match to Dubai.
Despite this, Pakistan is expected to generate substantial revenue from the UAE-hosted games. A senior PCB official confirmed that more than half of the ticket sales revenue will go to Pakistan, with a formal agreement in place.
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with a capacity exceeding 25,000, has historically seen full attendance for Pakistan-India matches, a trend expected to continue. Fans from the UAE, neighboring countries, and beyond are likely to attend, contributing to strong ticket sales.
Additionally, a large number of spectators are expected at India’s other matches in the tournament. Ticket prices and sales schedules will be announced by the ICC soon.
Should India progress to the knockout stages, it could influence Pakistan’s revenue, particularly since the final, if involving India, would not be held in Lahore—a potential disappointment for local fans.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff