PTV Sports: Champions Trophy Sparks Revenue Debate
The Champions Trophy is set to be a thrilling event, with several high-profile matches and talented players participating. The tournament's revenue and gate-money sharing formula remain a topic of discussion, with the PCB and ICC expected to provide more clarity in the coming days. PTV Sports will broadcast the tournament live, allowing fans to catch all the action from the comfort of their homes.
The Pakistan Cricket Board and International Cricket Council remain tight-lipped on the Champions Trophy gate-money sharing formula, raising questions about revenue generated from ticket sales, with the Pakistan-India match alone selling over Rs3.47 billion worth of tickets.
The most expensive ticket for the highly anticipated match costs Rs25,000, significantly cheaper than Dubai rates. The total revenue from India's group matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand is estimated to be Rs6.73 billion. The PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, revealed that the ICC agreed to provide more funds to the PCB than the event would generate through gate money, but the specifics of this agreement, including whether it includes revenue from Dubai, remain unclear.
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, with Pakistan hosting the tournament. However, India has opted out due to security concerns and logistical issues, and their match against Pakistan will be held in Dubai on February 23. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, with the final set for March 9 in Lahore.
The tournament will feature several notable players, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from India, and Yasir Shah from Pakistan. However, some teams will be missing key players due to injuries, such as Australian captain Pat Cummins and South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada. The tournament will be broadcast live across various platforms, including Star Sports Network, Disney+ Hotstar, and PTV Sports.
As the tournament approaches, fans eagerly await the exciting matches, while the PCB and ICC face scrutiny over the revenue generated from ticket sales. The excess funds are expected to help settle the costs of stadium upgradations in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, which have exceeded the budget of Rs12.80 billion.
