ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India vs Pakistan – Profit & Loss Analysis

"Take it or leave it" – the message to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was unmistakable, and Pakistan has taken it. The upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be played in a hybrid format, with all of India’s matches taking place in Dubai. If India reaches the final, that match will also be played in Dubai. Sources confirm that this resolution emerged from the ICC's meeting in Dubai. The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry has long been the heartbeat of international cricket, captivating millions and driving unprecedented economic activity. 

The Commercial Might of India-Pakistan Matches

India's participation in ICC events guarantees extraordinary viewership and advertising revenues. Matches between the two cricketing giants regularly dominate global viewership charts, with sponsors and broadcasters fighting for limited advertising slots.

During the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, a 10-second ad slot for the India-Pakistan match reportedly fetched ₹60 lakhs, equating to ₹3.6 crores per minute. Similarly, in Pakistan, ad slots during recent T20 World Cup matches were priced between ₹40–60 lakhs for 10 seconds.

ALSO READ | From Cricket to Cuisine: Yuvraj Singh's Greto Partnership

In stark contrast, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) struggles to generate comparable revenue, with its entire season earning less than a single IPL game. India's cricket broadcasting revenue model highlights this dominance:

• India: Broadcasters earn 60–65% of revenue from advertisements and 30–35% from subscriptions.
• Pakistan: Advertising revenue is crucial, with broadcasts heavily reliant on live match integration.

BCCI vs PCB: Unequal Financial Stakes

For Pakistan, India-Pakistan matches are central to its revenue model, with advertising and broadcast deals often revolving around these high-stakes encounters. The ICC has strategically capitalised on this rivalry, ensuring India and Pakistan face off in most tournaments since the 2011 World Cup. This pairing drives the cricket economy globally, benefiting broadcasters, advertisers, and the ICC itself.

ALSO READ | How IPL Teams Are Emerging As Unsung Startups In Sports Industry?

In stark contrast, India operates from a position of financial self-sufficiency. The BCCI's lucrative IPL rights far surpass the earnings of entire international boards combined:

• BCCI Broadcast Deal (2023–27): Valued at $720 million for 88 matches, averaging $8.1 million per match.

• IPL Matches: Each match is valued at $13.1 million, exceeding the PSL's revenue for an entire 34-match season.

• PCB Broadcast Deal: Valued at $9 million for 60 matches over 2.5 years, highlighting the sharp disparity in earning potential.

The BCCI’s Financial Supremacy in 2024

India's early exit from the 2007 World Cup caused financial turmoil for broadcasters and advertisers, prompting Sony to exit the ICC rights race and PepsiCo to pull back on advertising investments. However, by 2024, the landscape has shifted dramatically. The BCCI has cemented its position as the dominant force in world cricket, reshaping the global cricket economy. The IPL’s financial might, coupled with BCCI's strong international and domestic broadcasting deals, ensures that India remains the undisputed leader in cricket economics.

ALSO READ | IPL Free On Jio Cinema: What's The Game?

Viewership Trends: India-Pakistan Rivalry in 2023

Despite its historical significance, the India-Pakistan clash ranked fifth in peak viewership during the 2023 ODI World Cup held in India, according to ICC data. Matches like the India-Australia final, India-South Africa group stage, and both the group-stage and semifinal encounters against New Zealand garnered higher viewership figures. This shift reflects India's growing ability to engage audiences beyond traditional rivalries, highlighting its increasingly dominant cricket ecosystem.

The Growing Financial Divide: India-Pakistan Rivalry and the Hybrid ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The financial dynamics between India and Pakistan highlight the growing disparity in cricket economics. For Pakistan, hosting India is crucial for financial stability, while India faces minimal economic impact if the rivalry is absent. Following the BCCI’s "take it or leave it" stance, the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will feature a hybrid format, with all of India’s matches taking place in Dubai. This decision reflects the ICC’s challenge of balancing its most-watched rivalry with complex geopolitical realities. As economic considerations continue to dominate, the India-Pakistan rivalry will remain a pivotal force in shaping the future of global cricket.