ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Viewership Breaks Records Globally

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Becomes Most Watched Edition in History

The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 has officially set a new benchmark in cricket broadcasting, shattering previous records to become the most watched Champions Trophy ever. Hosted across Pakistan and the UAE, the tournament amassed a staggering 368 billion global viewing minutes, marking a 19% surge compared to the 2017 edition held in England and Wales. The success is being hailed as a milestone for the sport’s global appeal and the strategic broadcasting evolution adopted by the ICC and its partners.

India’s Triumph Breaks Records On and Off the Field

While India’s commanding victory over New Zealand in the Dubai final on March 9, 2025, was historic in itself, the numbers behind the screen were equally monumental. The final registered 65.3 billion live viewing minutes, making it the most watched match in Champions Trophy history and the third most watched ICC fixture of all time. Only the India vs New Zealand semi-final and the India vs Australia final in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 surpass this showdown in terms of global watch time.

This edition’s final wasn’t just about crowning a champion it represented the climax of a digitally driven, fan-focused broadcast revolution. Across the globe, audiences engaged with the tournament like never before, helped by enhanced accessibility, language diversity, and mobile-first viewing solutions.

Broadcast Evolution Led by Innovation in India

India continued to be the powerhouse in cricket viewership, with the JioStar network leading a trailblazing broadcast strategy. With matches aired on 29 channels in nine languages, including a return of the Indian Sign Language feed and Audio Descriptive Commentary, the Champions Trophy 2025 became the most watched edition in India’s broadcast history.

Perhaps the most transformative addition was the MaxView vertical feed, developed in collaboration with the ICC, offering a tailor-made mobile viewing experience. This innovation drove the highest-ever digital watch time share for any ICC tournament in India, signaling a major shift toward handheld viewership as fans tuned in on the go.

Record-Breaking Growth in Australia, Pakistan, and the USA

The success story didn’t stop at the subcontinent. In Australia, the tournament saw a 65% increase in overall viewing hours compared to 2017, with Amazon Prime Video registering its highest viewership figures for an ICC tournament to date. The introduction of Hindi language feeds also expanded engagement among diverse communities across Australia.

Pakistan, one of the tournament’s co-hosts, witnessed a 24% growth in total viewing hours, despite the home team falling short in their bid for consecutive titles. The surge in local engagement underlined the country’s undying passion for cricket and the positive impact of hosting marquee ICC events on home soil.

Even in non-traditional markets like the United States, cricket viewership soared. The tournament achieved a 38% rise in watch time compared to the 2017 edition, thanks to improved digital accessibility, niche community marketing, and expanded coverage through platforms like Willow TV.

ICC Applauds Global Growth and Broadcast Partnerships

In response to the record-shattering figures, ICC Chairman Jay Shah expressed his delight, emphasizing the importance of innovation and global partnerships in cricket’s modern era.

“We are delighted to share that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has achieved record-breaking global viewership, making it the most-watched edition of the tournament to date,” Shah said. “These remarkable numbers reflect the growing global appeal of the game and the strength of our partnerships.”

Shah credited the JioStar network’s commitment to multilingual and inclusive broadcasting in India, along with the performance of Amazon Prime in Australia and Willow TV in the U.S., as pivotal contributors to the success.

He concluded by calling the numbers “a testament to the game’s expanding footprint and the passion of cricket fans worldwide.”

Champions Trophy 2025: A Modern Blueprint for Global Events

The record-breaking success of the Champions Trophy 2025 is more than a statistical achievement—it’s a blueprint for the future of international cricket broadcasting. As younger audiences gravitate toward mobile viewing, and fans demand more inclusive and immersive experiences, the ICC has taken giant strides in meeting those needs.

From vertical feeds to multilingual commentaries and accessibility-driven features, the tournament became a model for engagement in a diversified digital age. More than just a celebration of cricketing excellence, it was a triumph for storytelling, access, and global unity through sport.

As the cricketing calendar looks ahead to the 2026 T20 World Cup and the 2027 ODI World Cup, this tournament may very well be remembered as the turning point that redefined how fans connect with the game worldwide.