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Did hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 justify an $85 Million loss?

As per reports, summary of Pakistan's financial losses during the Champions Trophy 2025:

Massive Spending, Minimal Return: Pakistan spent a staggering $100 million (INR 869 crore) to host a single home match against New Zealand in Lahore during the Champions Trophy. This included stadium upgrades and event preparations.

Financial Loss: After accounting for hosting fees and revenue from ticket sales/sponsorships, Pakistan cricket suffered a loss of over $85 million.

Impact on Players: To offset the losses, match fees for the national T20 championship were initially slashed by 90%, and payments for reserve players were cut significantly. While the match fee cut was later revised, it wasn't fully restored.

Disparities: Young cricketers faced reduced accommodations, while PCB officials continued to enjoy luxurious perks.

Coaching Drama: A public spat between Jason Gillespie and Aaqib Javed highlighted the dysfunction within Pakistan cricket's management, with accusations of undermining and constant changes in coaches and selectors.

Overall Dysfunction: Mickey Arthur's statement, "Pakistan cricket is its own worst enemy," encapsulates the core issue. The Champions Trophy hosting decision is portrayed as a financially disastrous move.
 
If ICC events are become loss making, I think people are just fed up of having an ICC event every year.

Cut back the World T20 to once every 4 years and scrap the ICC champions Trophy.
 
If ICC events are become loss making, I think people are just fed up of having an ICC event every year.

Cut back the World T20 to once every 4 years and scrap the ICC champions Trophy.

The ICC T20 WC should also be held after every 4 years. Holding it every 2 years devalues the whole tournament. I suspect ICC makes the most amount of money from the T-20 format hence why they are holding it every 2 years.
 
The Stadium renovation capital expenditures are a long term investment. It shouldn't be factored in the costs for the CT alone.
 
Alright, answer this question, what extra revenue PCB will generate that will offset this capital expenditure.

There are only two such extra revenue generation the two ICC events that PCB was alloted. One is over.
It's irrelevant to the thread topic what extra revenue they will try to generate. It is not related to the fake news of 85 million USD loss
 
If ICC events are become loss making, I think people are just fed up of having an ICC event every year.

Cut back the World T20 to once every 4 years and scrap the ICC champions Trophy.
There is too much cricket. The same teams play each other all the time. Pakistan and NZ for example played tri series and then played a championship trophy match and are now playing a bilateral in NZ in the space of 2 months.

It devalues the whole product.

A bit of a gap before an ICC tournament would help make people less bored.
 
is there a proper source for this?
It is all over Indian news. The fact that PCB could not afford domestic player salary is sign enough there were losses and PCB bit more than it could chew. The quanta of losses maybe debatable, but that PCB is in a financial ditch is not!!
 
It is all over Indian news. The fact that PCB could not afford domestic player salary is sign enough there were losses and PCB bit more than it could chew. The quanta of losses maybe debatable, but that PCB is in a financial ditch is not!!
I dont care what is in Indian news i am asking for a source.
By source i mean a proper source of who made the ledgers etc.
 
There is too much cricket. The same teams play each other all the time. Pakistan and NZ for example played tri series and then played a championship trophy match and are now playing a bilateral in NZ in the space of 2 months.

It devalues the whole product.

A bit of a gap before an ICC tournament would help make people less bored.
That I agree. Unfortunately the only solution is for more countries to play cricket, the other alternative is for a series to have more meaning(bgt/ashes etc) which requires more competition and passion.
 
I dont care what is in Indian news i am asking for a source.
By source i mean a proper source of who made the ledgers etc.
Nobody other than PCB will have it. Feel free to dig up the ledgers and prove the report wrong. But there are enough indications that PCB is in a ditch and hence the report.
 
You are making this capital expenditure because you were hosting this event. Without this event you were not looking to make this expenditure. Because without upgrades ICC wouldn't allow the hosting.

Your expectation was that the ICC hosting fees and event revenue will help recoup this expenditure.

It didn't. Forcing you to take out loans.

PCBs hope now lies on the ICC woman's event to offset some of these losses. Else this is a white elephant event. Because PCB doesn't have anything else that will justify such large scale capital expenditure.

In past only two such events have happened where a ICC event has ruined the finances.

2011 WC when SLC was bank rupted as they built two new stadiums and the ICC hosting fees and revenue from the matches didn't cover the cost.

2024 T20WC where ICC had 20mn USD of extra expenditure in USA. ICC sacked the officials.

Yes, but the benefits of the capital expenditure continue post-tournament.

No one is breaking down Gaddafi Stadium next month. It will still be standing there including all of the renovations that are present meaning all future revenue opportunities will benefit from those upgrades.

If they host a small kid's birthday party in that stadium, the revenue will be included in writing off the CapEx. It's a silly example, but that's the point being made.

You mention SLC but that loss was "realized" when they went bankrupt. Or in the US case, their stadium was taken apart.
Those are indeed examples of a loss. PCB would either have to sell the stadium or itself for the loss to be realized in accounting terms.

Even the ICC can use this as a capital expenditure by hosting future ICC events in Pakistan. If they plan on never hosting there again then indeed it's a realized loss for them too. But not for the PCB.
 
If it costs the PCB Rs 24 billion to upgrade one Stadium, how are they going to renovate and bring the other cricket stadiums in Pakistan up to standard.

Surely they cannot fund all of this from their own pocket
 
PCB had taken 500 cr loan for renovation of the stadium.

PCB was only institution in pakistan who was profitable but now PCB is not the same anymore.

No Profit From PSL , No big deals from broadcasters and Sponsers.

PCB is only dependent of ICC revenue otherwise they will become bankrupt.

Now people's who think PCB should have boycott the indian matches in ICC tournaments get Big reality check .

PCB is already reduced the match fees for domestic players and These cricketers, No five star hotels for the accommodation.

@Wasim Ghulam @Slim

:kp
lol you got too much free time on your hand.

I would rather believe Santa Clause is real than believing a Hindustan times report about Pakistan 😂
 
It's irrelevant to the thread topic what extra revenue they will try to generate. It is not related to the fake news of 85 million USD loss

Its very much relevant. CapEx has to be offset by possible extra revenues.

What fake news? PCB is cutting players salaries because of this huge expenditure which they couldn't recoup.
 
Yes, but the benefits of the capital expenditure continue post-tournament.

No one is breaking down Gaddafi Stadium next month. It will still be standing there including all of the renovations that are present meaning all future revenue opportunities will benefit from those upgrades.

If they host a small kid's birthday party in that stadium, the revenue will be included in writing off the CapEx. It's a silly example, but that's the point being made.

You mention SLC but that loss was "realized" when they went bankrupt. Or in the US case, their stadium was taken apart.
Those are indeed examples of a loss. PCB would either have to sell the stadium or itself for the loss to be realized in accounting terms.

Even the ICC can use this as a capital expenditure by hosting future ICC events in Pakistan. If they plan on never hosting there again then indeed it's a realized loss for them too. But not for the PCB.

Gaddafi stadium was standing there even before this renovation and hosting matches. Making the same money it will make now. No change in revenue generation.

What are the future revenues that will be generated that were not generated before this renovation?

Every host country does stadium renovation before ICC events, because they get extra money from ICC plus they get the gate receipts and in ground ad money of that event. That's how the renovation is funded. So that the regular revenue and expenditure isn't affected.

PCB was not able to generate enough ground sponsorship money and their renovation cost overshot the money ICC gave as hosting fees.

So they had to dip into their own revenues and take out loans. This has resulted in cost cutting measures.

Unless there's a massive increase in seating capacity that allows extra revenue. The only other extra revenue source for PCB is the ICC women's event.

This isn't ICC's loss. ICC paid a hosting fee for the use of the stadium. Its unlikely that after the women's event PCB will host any event in near future. The complications of PCB hosting and India not coming is too big for ICC.
 
Yes, but the benefits of the capital expenditure continue post-tournament.

No one is breaking down Gaddafi Stadium next month. It will still be standing there including all of the renovations that are present meaning all future revenue opportunities will benefit from those upgrades.

If they host a small kid's birthday party in that stadium, the revenue will be included in writing off the CapEx. It's a silly example, but that's the point being made.

You mention SLC but that loss was "realized" when they went bankrupt. Or in the US case, their stadium was taken apart.
Those are indeed examples of a loss. PCB would either have to sell the stadium or itself for the loss to be realized in accounting terms.

Even the ICC can use this as a capital expenditure by hosting future ICC events in Pakistan. If they plan on never hosting there again then indeed it's a realized loss for them too. But not for the PCB.
I agree with your post. The meta point is where the money/funding for the capex comes from.
If it short term high interest loans, it is money that could have been spent for more important social welfare projects.
IMO PCB should have renovated the stadiums early enough, marketed the tourney better and should have created more excitement about the tournament. Use the tournament to improve it’s image, create more tourism.
They spent $40mn in event preproductions. I can’t even understand what that means.
 
Gaddafi stadium was standing there even before this renovation and hosting matches. Making the same money it will make now. No change in revenue generation.

What are the future revenues that will be generated that were not generated before this renovation?

Every host country does stadium renovation before ICC events, because they get extra money from ICC plus they get the gate receipts and in ground ad money of that event. That's how the renovation is funded. So that the regular revenue and expenditure isn't affected.

PCB was not able to generate enough ground sponsorship money and their renovation cost overshot the money ICC gave as hosting fees.

So they had to dip into their own revenues and take out loans. This has resulted in cost cutting measures.

Unless there's a massive increase in seating capacity that allows extra revenue. The only other extra revenue source for PCB is the ICC women's event.

This isn't ICC's loss. ICC paid a hosting fee for the use of the stadium. Its unlikely that after the women's event PCB will host any event in near future. The complications of PCB hosting and India not coming is too big for ICC.

Were they selling out every home game before? If not, there's room for increased per-game revenue.

Improved stadium renovations lead to increased footfalls over the short and long term. This includes both PSL and international games.

If they even get one more person to show up per game, that's added revenue they didn't have before the renovations.

Yes, the ICC caused the PCB to begin stadium renovations. But the reason for stadium renovations can be anything. It could be that Naqvi had a dream one night and woke up with a desire to renovate. The only thing that matters is it's a capital expenditure.

Them overshooting the budget does not change this reality. It just increases the number written next to the capital expenditure and how long it takes for them to get it back down to zero.
 
Even if that was true. It was still worth it. Pakistan needed that big international cricket exposure after a long time. But IMO Pak shouldnt try to host anything else until after 2031CWC. Sort out the stadiums, make one in Islamabad. I dont understand why they dont have a International cricket stadium in the capital which is well organised.
 
Guys,

Are you seriously going to believe this trash piece written by a nagesh from hindustantimes? Truly authentic.

Even PCB and ICC is wondering how HT pulled out all these figures.
 
Guys,

Are you seriously going to believe this trash piece written by a nagesh from hindustantimes? Truly authentic.

Even PCB and ICC is wondering how HT pulled out all these figures.
Misbah confirmed this …
 
@kingusama92 Will the renovation bring about increased revenue as compared to other the revenue if the renovation was not done ? If yes, you have a valid point. Sitting from afar, it seems the answer is no. The changes seemed mostly cosmetic. Even Baroda stadium is bigger and better than the one in Lahore.
 
Did the world cup in US not make a loss? I am sure I read some reports that it did.

I think this could be the end of the champions trophy - not because of Pakistan as host as maybe Indians will try to paint it but it appears difficult to make a case that an additional ODI trophy will interest the public.

Regardless of figures/losses the situation in Karachi should have been a wake up call for PCB.

CT was launched at a time when there was no T20 and no WTC. So, ICC launched it for extra revenues I guess.

CT right now is pointless. There is already an ODI World Cup. There are also World T20 and WTC.
 
@kingusama92 Will the renovation bring about increased revenue as compared to other the revenue if the renovation was not done ? If yes, you have a valid point. Sitting from afar, it seems the answer is no. The changes seemed mostly cosmetic. Even Baroda stadium is bigger and better than the one in Lahore.

That's indeed a question only the PCB and its officials can answer.

There are so many variables when it comes to these things that it's almost impossible to determine for an outsider like me. If I was working as an official, I would have emphasized collecting raw data on this stuff.

For example, do these renovations improve the broadcasting experience which in turn leads to improved TV ratings/contracts? Does it lead to increased footfalls from the improved viewing experience? Does it reduce maintenance costs over the long-term which leads to savings over time?

There's so much nuance to these things.

To be fair, your guess is as good as mine about the future. I was just looking at it from an accounting perspective and what counts as a "loss" and what doesn't.
 
Hosted a ICC tournament after 29 year still cant fill the stadium's, Zero marketing and tournament was in loss. It was a disaster tournament for The ICC .

:kp
 
To be fair, your guess is as good as mine about the future. I was just looking at it from an accounting perspective and what counts as a "loss" and what doesn't.
Yes and there is an amortization period during capex depreciation is calculated, so may not be this year but over the time of the amortization schedule `loss` will be accounted. I think my point was ( & I suspect @cricketjoshila meant the same), PCB built this stadium out of short term loans and ICC funding. The upgrades not even cosmetic at best. The stadiums looked very poor and PCB is struggling to find ways to pay for the capex/expense, which brings us back to the original question:

Was it worth it ? :-)
 
The stadiums looked poor overall. Felt like watching some ground from 90's in India.

If indeed so much money was spent, the stadiums would look much better.
Agree. The stadiums appeared poor, broadcast was mediocre at best and seems like there was a fair bit of corruption!!
 
BCCI announces 58 crores ( INR ) cash prize for winning the Champions Trophy.

Players - 3 Crores each.
Head Coach - 3 Crores each.
Support Staffs - 50 Lakhs each.

:kp
 
its amazing to see Indians concerned so much about Financial Health of PCB on this forum. despite every attempt to ruin our only tournament in 29 years ( full pettiness at display ) CFO of PCB announce 10 Million$ net profit from CT hosting
 
The Pakistan Cricket Board on Thursday claimed that it is set to earn approximately $10 million as profit by hosting the Champions Trophy, where the Indian team emerged champion

PCB spokesperson, Aamir Mir and Chief Financial Officer Javed Murtaza addressed media following reports that Board had suffered financial losses by hosting the ODI tournament and spending enormous amounts on upgrading stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi for the event.

"All expenses for the tournament were covered by the ICC," Mir said adding that the PCB generated revenue through gate money and ticket sales. Additionally, after the audit, we expect to receive another Rs 3 billion from the ICC," he added.

He also claimed that PCB had initially targeted Rs 200 crore in earnings from the Champions Trophy, but they surpassed this goal.

He also claimed that the PCB's total revenue for the 2023-24 fiscal year reached Rs 10 billion-a 40% increase from the previous year.

"With this financial strength, PCB now ranks among the top three richest cricket boards in the world," Mir said.

"The board has also paid Rs 4 crore in taxes," he added.

Murtaza added that PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi played a key role in revising the fiscal targets, showing active involvement in improving the board's financial performance.

He said that the PCB had several financial investments and that the budget for stadium upgrades was set at Rs 1,800 crore.

For Phase one of the project, Rs 1,200 crore was allocated, and Rs 10.5 billion has already been spent, he said.

"The remaining funds will be used to further improve these and other stadiums, including those in Karachi, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi," said Murtaza.

The CFO said that the PCB had completed major renovations in just four months, ensuring that venues now meet international standards.

"After 29 years, a major stadium upgrade project was undertaken, which was a significant task," Mir added.

Source: NDTV
 
There is n
The Pakistan Cricket Board on Thursday claimed that it is set to earn approximately $10 million as profit by hosting the Champions Trophy, where the Indian team emerged champion

PCB spokesperson, Aamir Mir and Chief Financial Officer Javed Murtaza addressed media following reports that Board had suffered financial losses by hosting the ODI tournament and spending enormous amounts on upgrading stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi for the event.

"All expenses for the tournament were covered by the ICC," Mir said adding that the PCB generated revenue through gate money and ticket sales. Additionally, after the audit, we expect to receive another Rs 3 billion from the ICC," he added.

He also claimed that PCB had initially targeted Rs 200 crore in earnings from the Champions Trophy, but they surpassed this goal.

He also claimed that the PCB's total revenue for the 2023-24 fiscal year reached Rs 10 billion-a 40% increase from the previous year.

"With this financial strength, PCB now ranks among the top three richest cricket boards in the world," Mir said.

"The board has also paid Rs 4 crore in taxes," he added.

Murtaza added that PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi played a key role in revising the fiscal targets, showing active involvement in improving the board's financial performance.

He said that the PCB had several financial investments and that the budget for stadium upgrades was set at Rs 1,800 crore.

For Phase one of the project, Rs 1,200 crore was allocated, and Rs 10.5 billion has already been spent, he said.

"The remaining funds will be used to further improve these and other stadiums, including those in Karachi, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi," said Murtaza.

The CFO said that the PCB had completed major renovations in just four months, ensuring that venues now meet international standards.

"After 29 years, a major stadium upgrade project was undertaken, which was a significant task," Mir added.

Source: NDTV
Is there any financial reporting done by PCB? How do we trust these guys and if there is profit why were they looking to cut player salary which wAs already so low.
 
its amazing to see Indians concerned so much about Financial Health of PCB on this forum. despite every attempt to ruin our only tournament in 29 years ( full pettiness at display ) CFO of PCB announce 10 Million$ net profit from CT hosting
We are concerned because we are heavily invested in Team Pakistan..
 
Yes and there is an amortization period during capex depreciation is calculated, so may not be this year but over the time of the amortization schedule `loss` will be accounted. I think my point was ( & I suspect @cricketjoshila meant the same), PCB built this stadium out of short term loans and ICC funding. The upgrades not even cosmetic at best. The stadiums looked very poor and PCB is struggling to find ways to pay for the capex/expense, which brings us back to the original question:

Was it worth it ? :-)

To be fair, if they're reporting a $10 million profit then it probably was.
 
There is n

Is there any financial reporting done by PCB? How do we trust these guys and if there is profit why were they looking to cut player salary which wAs already so low.
why should we believe what indian media claims instead of what pcb told us? and why Indians are concrrned?
 
So Pakistan can play WC matches in their home

We are not coming to India

Also were robbed of 2011 CWC hosting

The icc resolution allows pakistan to not play its matches in India till 2027. No exceptions after that.

If Pakistan doesn't want to visit India in 2029 they can withdraw. In 2031 they can play in BD.

Pakistan isn't getting added as hosts.

Robbed in 2011? Players were attacked by guns and grenades in Pakistan. Everyone refused to visit pakistan.
 
The icc resolution allows pakistan to not play its matches in India till 2027. No exceptions after that.

If Pakistan doesn't want to visit India in 2029 they can withdraw. In 2031 they can play in BD.

Pakistan isn't getting added as hosts.

Robbed in 2011? Players were attacked by guns and grenades in Pakistan. Everyone refused to visit pakistan.
Lol withdraw good luck with that

Your broadcaster would never let go of pak v Ind match so Dubai will do similar hosting duties in CT 2029 as we are not coming to India
 
Lol withdraw good luck with that

Your broadcaster would never let go of pak v Ind match so Dubai will do similar hosting duties in CT 2029 as we are not coming to India
good grief. this rona dhona about 2031 has started already?
 
They aren't reporting $10mn profit. Go through the article. They are talking revenue.

"All tournament expenses were covered by the ICC."

The rest will be listed as CapEx expenses and won't play a role in profit calculations.
 
Lol withdraw good luck with that

Your broadcaster would never let go of pak v Ind match so Dubai will do similar hosting duties in CT 2029 as we are not coming to India

There's a big difference in India hosting and Pakistan hosting. The current broadcast deal expires in 2027.

India won't be hosting Pakistan in neutral territory in 2029.
 
"All tournament expenses were covered by the ICC."

The rest will be listed as CapEx expenses and won't play a role in profit calculations.

Ofcourse all tournament expenses are paid by ICC.

Again, how will PCB recoup this CapEx expenditure, they funded this with Overdrafts and loans. The hosting fee is $10mn only.
 
PCB advisor said, "If Pakistan is going to suffer any financial loss in the Champions Trophy, then India will suffer a bigger loss due to Pakistan not touring India."

@Devadwal
@Vikram1989
@Hitman


Look how these PCB guys fool their people.
 
PCB advisor said, "If Pakistan is going to suffer any financial loss in the Champions Trophy, then India will suffer a bigger loss due to Pakistan not touring India."

@Devadwal
@Vikram1989
@Hitman


Look how these PCB guys fool their people.
Bhai, Why to bother about the interval when we know how the movie ends .After ct losses, Pcb should hope their annual report still shows 50 percent bail out from bcci but not 70 or 80 .
 
PCB spokesperson, Amir Mir on BCCI's designs to incur lose on PCB for ICC tournaments:

"If India has tried to cause any financial loss to Pakistan, then in return they are also going to suffer financial loss because you know that India-Pakistan matches are like hot cakes and now Pakistan has decided that for 3 years we will also not go to India, so I think that if Pakistan is going to suffer any financial loss in the Champions Trophy, then India will suffer a bigger financial loss in case Pakistan does not go to India."
 
PCB spokesperson, Amir Mir on BCCI's designs to incur lose on PCB for ICC tournaments:

"If India has tried to cause any financial loss to Pakistan, then in return they are also going to suffer financial loss because you know that India-Pakistan matches are like hot cakes and now Pakistan has decided that for 3 years we will also not go to India, so I think that if Pakistan is going to suffer any financial loss in the Champions Trophy, then India will suffer a bigger financial loss in case Pakistan does not go to India."

Does he really know anything? He seems clueless.
 
There's a big difference in India hosting and Pakistan hosting. The current broadcast deal expires in 2027.

India won't be hosting Pakistan in neutral territory in 2029.
They will be hosting just like 2025

Similar thing will happen
 
PCB spokesperson, Amir Mir on BCCI's designs to incur lose on PCB for ICC tournaments:

"If India has tried to cause any financial loss to Pakistan, then in return they are also going to suffer financial loss because you know that India-Pakistan matches are like hot cakes and now Pakistan has decided that for 3 years we will also not go to India, so I think that if Pakistan is going to suffer any financial loss in the Champions Trophy, then India will suffer a bigger financial loss in case Pakistan does not go to India."

PCB continues to take shots at BCCI.

BCCI don’t even talk about them lol
 
Ofcourse all tournament expenses are paid by ICC.

Again, how will PCB recoup this CapEx expenditure, they funded this with Overdrafts and loans. The hosting fee is $10mn only.

I've already replied to this in detail before. You can read it in my previous posts here.

There are multiple ways this can be recouped including an increase in per-game revenue through more footfalls. This includes for both PSL and international matches.
 
They need to make the existing stadiums 2 tier and build a new stadium in Islamabad. Then bid to co-host a T20 world cup.

India plays in Pakistan. Pakistan plays in India. Life goes on.
 
Meanwhile BCCI and Indian broadcasters are breaking Records

Note how the Final had significantly higher viewership minutes han the Ind vs Pak match ( 56billion vs 26 billion ).
 
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