PCB Gears Up for Champions Trophy 2025 with Major Stadium Upgrades
As the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) prepares to host the highly anticipated Champions Trophy 2025 in February, significant steps are being taken to ensure the readiness of key stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has given his approval for a comprehensive upgrade of these venues, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan's cricketing infrastructure.
Major Stadium Upgrades Ahead of Champions Trophy 2025
The decision to upgrade the stadiums came during Naqvi’s visit to the London head office of BDP Pattern, a globally renowned architectural firm based in the United Kingdom. During the visit, Naqvi met with Chairman Chris Harding and other senior officials to discuss the detailed plans for the renovation project.
This development follows reports that renovation work has already commenced at Karachi's National Stadium, one of the three selected venues for the Champions Trophy 2025. Alongside Karachi, Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium and Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium will also undergo significant upgrades to meet international standards.
Budget Allocation and Renovation Plans
The PCB has earmarked a substantial budget of Rs12.80 billion for the upgradation of these three key venues. The renovation work is set to be completed ahead of the marquee event, which is proposed to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025.
Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a budget of approximately $70 million for the tournament. This funding will cover expenses incurred during the support period, scheduled from February 12 to 18, which includes warm-up matches, media activities, and promotional events.
The ICC, in collaboration with the PCB, will finalize the schedule for the warm-up matches. Each participating team will have the opportunity to play a maximum of two warm-up matches across the three host cities—Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi.
International Collaboration with BDP Pattern
During his visit to BDP Pattern's office, PCB Chairman Naqvi was provided with an in-depth briefing on the stadium upgradation project. Expressing his satisfaction with the proposed designs, Naqvi emphasized the significance of this project, noting that it is the first time these arenas are being upgraded to accommodate such a large number of cricket fans.
Naqvi also highlighted his personal involvement in overseeing the renovation process, reaffirming the PCB’s commitment to completing the project before the Champions Trophy 2025. The collaboration with BDP Pattern, an architectural firm with over 63 years of experience and around 200 international stadium designs, underscores the PCB’s dedication to meeting the highest international standards.