How much money Pakistan can lose if Champions Trophy is moved or postponed

Due to the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan over the 2025 Champions Trophy, there could be significant financial consequences for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) if the tournament is postponed or relocated to another country.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it clear that they will not travel to Pakistan. The tournament is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025. However, due to the uncertainty surrounding the situation, the match schedule has yet to be announced.

This would be the first time since co-hosting the 1996 ODI World Cup that Pakistan would host a global ICC event. The PCB aims to prove that Pakistan can safely host a major tournament by successfully organizing the Champions Trophy.

However, after India's refusal to participate, the tournament is now shrouded in uncertainty. The situation has become even more complicated after the PCB rejected the hybrid model suggested by India. According to a report from Cricbuzz, if the tournament is postponed or moved to another country, the PCB could face an ICC ban.

The report also suggests that relocating or postponing the Champions Trophy could lead to a loss of hosting fees amounting to $65 million, a significant financial blow to the PCB. Since the PCB has already invested heavily in upgrading infrastructure in three designated venues—Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore—the losses could be even greater.

The PCB has sought clarification from the ICC regarding India's refusal to send a team to Pakistan for the tournament. Pakistani media reported on Tuesday that the PCB is unwilling to accept security concerns as a reason for India’s withdrawal. The PCB points out that New Zealand has toured Pakistan three times in the last two years, while England has visited twice and Australia once during the same period.

Meanwhile, the ICC could face challenges without Pakistan’s participation in the tournament. There are fears that broadcasters and sponsors may pull out. In addition, there could be legal disputes with commercial partners, a potential decrease in revenue, and a reduction in the financial distribution from the ICC to its member boards.