The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will see a 53% increase in prize money compared to the 2017 edition, with the tournament winners receiving $2.24 million (₹20.8 crore) from a total prize pool of $6.9 million. However, despite this increase, the tournament’s grand prize still falls short of what some Indian Premier League (IPL) stars earn individually in a single season.
In the most recent IPL mega auction, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and Venkatesh Iyer secured massive contracts that outshine even the total winnings of an undefeated Champions Trophy-winning team. Lucknow Super Giants signed Pant for ₹27 crore, making him the most expensive player in IPL history, while Punjab Kings spent ₹26.75 crore on Shreyas Iyer, and Kolkata Knight Riders retained Venkatesh Iyer for ₹23.75 crore.
👉 Even if a team wins every match in the Champions Trophy and secures the maximum possible earnings (₹22 crore), it still falls short of what these three IPL stars individually earn in a single season.
Breakdown of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Prize Money
The Champions Trophy 2025 has a total prize fund of $6.9 million (₹64.2 crore approx.), distributed as follows:
- Winner: $2.24 million (₹20.8 crore)
- Runner-up: $1.12 million (₹10.4 crore)
- Semi-finalists: $560,000 (₹5.2 crore) each
- Fifth & Sixth-place teams: $350,000 (₹3.2 crore) each
- Seventh & Eighth-place teams: $140,000 (₹1.3 crore) each
- Participation Money (for all eight teams): $125,000 (₹1.1 crore)
How Much Can an Unbeaten Team Win?
If a team wins all its group-stage matches, the semi-final, and the final, its total earnings will be approximately ₹22 crore, including:
✔️ ₹20.8 crore for winning the tournament
✔️ ₹1.2 crore for group-stage wins
✔️ ₹1.1 crore participation money
Despite these figures, the prize money for an entire international tournament still remains below the salaries of several IPL players, highlighting the financial power of franchise cricket.
IPL Salaries vs ICC Tournament Winnings – The Stark Contrast
The Indian Premier League has completely changed the financial landscape of cricket, making it more lucrative than even ICC tournaments.
📌 Comparing IPL’s Biggest Contracts to the Champions Trophy Prize Money:
| Player | IPL 2025 Salary | Team | Earnings vs. Champions Trophy Winner |
| Rishabh Pant | ₹27 crore | Lucknow Super Giants | ₹6.2 crore MORE than the Champions Trophy winner |
| Shreyas Iyer | ₹26.75 crore | Punjab Kings | ₹5.95 crore MORE than the Champions Trophy winner |
| Venkatesh Iyer | ₹23.75 crore | Kolkata Knight Riders | ₹2.95 crore MORE than the Champions Trophy winner |
Even players who don’t win IPL titles earn more than international trophy winners, underscoring the staggering difference between T20 leagues and international cricket earnings.
Champions Trophy Returns to Pakistan After 29 Years
The 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will be the first global cricket tournament held in Pakistan since 1996. Matches will take place in:
🏟 Karachi
🏟 Lahore
🏟 Rawalpindi
The tournament will feature eight of the world’s top ODI teams, divided into two groups of four, with the top two teams advancing to the semi-finals.
Tournament Format & Key Dates:
- Group Stage: February 19 – March 5
- Semi-finals: March 6 – March 8
- Final: March 9
This edition is expected to be one of the most competitive, as only the best ODI teams qualify, ensuring high-intensity cricket from the very first match.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah on Champions Trophy 2025
ICC Chair Jay Shah emphasized the significance of the tournament, stating:
“The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 represents a pivotal moment for cricket, reviving a tournament that highlights the pinnacle of ODI talent, where every match is critical. The substantial prize pot underscores the ICC’s ongoing commitment to investing in the sport and maintaining the global prestige of our events. Beyond the financial incentive, this tournament ignites fierce competition, captivates fans worldwide, and plays a vital role in fostering the growth and long-term sustainability of cricket for future generations.”
While the prize money increase is notable, it still lags behind the massive financial muscle of T20 leagues, raising concerns about whether international tournaments need to offer higher financial incentives to keep top players engaged.
Should ICC Increase Prize Money for Global Tournaments?
The financial imbalance between franchise leagues and ICC tournaments raises key questions:
💰 Should ICC increase prize money to compete with IPL’s financial allure?
🏏 Can international cricket maintain its prestige if players prioritize T20 leagues?
🌍 Will tournaments like the Champions Trophy remain relevant in the future if prize money doesn’t match player expectations?
While international trophies still hold immense prestige, the financial rewards remain significantly lower than IPL contracts, creating an ongoing debate about how players will prioritize their commitments in the coming years.
🚨 What do you think? Should ICC increase prize money to compete with IPL salaries? Or is the prestige of winning a global tournament more important than financial incentives?
