The National Bank Stadium in Karachi is all set to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches following the completion of work on a new five-story building.
Digital screens and LED lights have also been installed at the venue. The stadium has been designated as the theme for the mega event, with a colorful inauguration ceremony scheduled for February 11.
Project Director Bilal Chauhan addressed the media on Thursday, confirming that the renovation and construction work, including the up-gradation, has been completed. In the first phase of the new building, rooms for the ICC’s anti-corruption and anti-doping teams, as well as for physiotherapists and match officials, have been set up on the ground floor.
Additionally, four modern lifts have been installed, along with patrons’ enclosures and a gallery for important personalities. To accommodate spectators, 75 new washrooms have been built.
Due to ongoing construction work, the stadium’s seating capacity has been reduced from 32,000 to 28,000, although an additional 1,200 seats have been made available in the pavilion.
Meanwhile, a fence has been recently erected in front of the VVIP enclosures at National Bank Stadium in Karachi for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.
Tickets for these enclosures are priced at PKR 20,000.
The move has drawn backlash from social media users, with many criticizing the fence for blocking the view.
However, PCB sources maintained that the step was taken to ensure security measures for the ICC event, which is being held in the country after 28 years.
It should be noted here that the upcoming tri-nation series will take place from February 8 to 14, with matches being held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.
For Wednesday’s fixture at NSK, tickets for the VVIP enclosures at the University End (Majid Khan and Zaheer Abbas enclosures) will be available for Rs4,000, while for Friday’s final match, fans can purchase tickets for Rs5,000.
For the Champions Trophy, ticket prices for the VVIP enclosures at National Stadium Karachi will be set at Rs20,000.
The ICC Champions Trophy, featuring eight teams, will run from February 19 to March 9, with a total of 15 matches across three venues—Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and Dubai.
National Stadium Karachi – Photo: Instagram
The teams have been divided into two groups: Group A consists of Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B includes Afghanistan, South Africa, England, and Australia.
Pakistan will host 10 matches during the tournament, including four matches in total at the National Stadium in Karachi and Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, as well as the first semi-final.
India’s three group-stage matches will be played in Dubai. The final match is set to take place in Lahore, but if India qualifies, it will be moved to Dubai.
A reserve day has been scheduled for the final in case of any weather-related disruptions.
