Tickets for highly-anticipated India-Pakistan Champions Trophy clash sold out in an hour
- 2 hours ago
Tickets for the highly-anticipated clash between archrivals India and Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai were snapped up within minutes of going on sale on Monday. The rush was so intense that over 1,50,000 eager fans queued online, causing waiting times to exceed an hour.
The much-awaited India vs Pakistan match will take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Feb.23. It is a group-stage match of the 2025 Champions Trophy, which will be held on a hybrid model in Pakistan and UAE.
Residents and cricket enthusiasts alike were taken aback by the overwhelming demand for tickets for the marquee clash.
Sudhashree, a Dubai resident, expressed her astonishment, saying, “I anticipated a long queue, but the speed at which tickets vanished was shocking. By the time I secured my place, only two categories remained, both beyond my budget.”
Fans patiently queued for nearly an hour, only to find that tickets for the India-Pakistan showdown got sold out across nearly all categories, including the Dh2,000 Platinum and Dh5,000 Grand Lounge sections. With the Dubai International Cricket Stadium accommodating 25,000 spectators, the race for tickets highlighted the match’s immense popularity and significance.
Historically, an India vs Pakistan encounter not only electrifies the cricket world but also catalyzes economic activity. Anticipating a surge in visitor numbers, industry experts predicted heightened activity across hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors, with expectations of increased hotel bookings and rising airfares as fans from both nations converge on Dubai for the event.
The two-week competition will see the top eight teams play 15 matches over 19 days in Pakistan and the UAE. Group A features Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, while Group B includes Afghanistan, England, Australia, and South Africa.
Hosts Pakistan will enter the competition as defending champions after winning the title in 2017 in England. They will open the 2025 tournament against New Zealand in Karachi on Feb.19. The tournament is also the first global cricket competition Pakistan will be hosting since the Men’s ODI World Cup in 1996.
India and Australia are the two most successful sides in the Champions Trophy, having won it twice each.
Meanwhile, the Champions Trophy Tour concluded its trip to India after making unforgettable appearances at several iconic locations in Mumbai and Bengaluru. The Trophy Tour has covered all eight participating nations during its global journey and, with the conclusion of India leg, it has now travelled to its final stop in Pakistan.
The Trophy Tour in India began with a bang in Mumbai, where the trophy visited the city’s most popular spots, including the Wankhede Stadium, Shivaji Park, the Gateway of India, Carter Road, historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Bandstand, and other renowned locations.
Fans were treated to the sight of the coveted silverware as it travelled through the vibrant streets of Mumbai, with many eager fans capturing the moment through photos and selfies.
A highlight of the Mumbai leg was the trophy’s presence at the Wankhede Stadium’s 50th anniversary celebration on Jan.19. The event saw India captain Rohit Sharma posing with the trophy alongside former India captains Dilip Vengsarkar, Ravi Shastri, Ajinkya Rahane and ICC Hall of Famers Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar and Diana Edulji. The Trophy Tour then moved to Bengaluru, where the Nexus Shantiniketan Mall hosted the Trophy Carnival, drawing cricket enthusiasts from across the city.
Agencies
