ICC faces financial risks as Pakistan-India Champions Trophy dispute escalates

The unresolved Pakistan-India dispute over the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy could lead to significant financial losses for the International Cricket Council (ICC). 

Pakistan's government has already indicated it would boycott Champions Trophy matches if India refuses to play in Pakistan. This stance could disrupt ICC revenues within the current cycle, as Pakistan and India’s participation in ICC events draws considerable broadcasting interest.

According to the ICC schedule, India is set to host four ICC events between 2024 and 2031, including the Women’s World Cup in 2025, the T20 World Cup in 2026, the ICC Champions Trophy in 2029, and the Cricket World Cup in 2031. However, the Pakistani government’s policy of not allowing its team to travel to India could jeopardize Pakistan's participation in these events, impacting ICC tournament viewership.

If Pakistan were to withdraw from these ICC tournaments, broadcasting revenues could be negatively affected. The ICC has already secured broadcast rights till 2027, amounting to $3.2 billion. Reduced viewership due to Pakistan’s absence could lower the value of these rights, which would subsequently impact revenue shared among member boards.

Recent Pakistan-India matches have drawn massive audiences, and ICC broadcasters highly prioritize these clashes in every tournament. The potential absence of a Pakistan-India game could result in substantial losses for ICC broadcasters, who benefit from the high viewership these matchups generate. Pakistan’s current stance has raised concerns within the ICC, as the absence of these highly anticipated games could affect overall tournament success and board-wide revenue distribution.