ICC Champions Trophy: History, Format, and All Winners
The ICC Champions Trophy is cricket's second-biggest ODI tournament after the World Cup. Learn the full history from 1998, all past winners, how the format has changed, and the tournament's on-again-off-again status in the ICC calendar.
The ICC Champions Trophy is a One-Day International tournament featuring the top eight ranked nations in world cricket. Established in 1998 (originally called the 'ICC Knockout' or 'Mini World Cup'), it was traditionally seen as cricket's second most prestigious ODI event after the World Cup itself. The tournament has had an inconsistent existence in the ICC calendar — it was discontinued after the 2013 edition in England and only revived for a 2025 edition hosted by Pakistan. With fewer teams than the World Cup and a shorter, sharper format, the Champions Trophy emphasises knockout-stage cricket more than the extended group stages of the World Cup.
Origins: The ICC Knockout Trophy (1998–2000)
The tournament began as the 'ICC Knockout' in Dhaka, Bangladesh in 1998. It originally featured a pure knockout format — no group stage, direct elimination from the first match — and was won by South Africa, who beat the West Indies in the final. The 2000 edition (in Nairobi, Kenya) was won by New Zealand, who beat India in the final. Both early editions used a straight knockout format. From 2002 onward the tournament adopted a group-stage plus knockout structure (similar to the current Champions Trophy format) and was renamed the 'ICC Champions Trophy'.
The Champions Trophy Era (2002–2013)
The 2002 edition (Sri Lanka/Zimbabwe) was shared between India and Sri Lanka after the final was twice washed out by rain. The 2004 edition (England) was won by the West Indies, who beat England in the final at The Oval. India won the 2013 edition (England) under MS Dhoni's captaincy, beating England in the final at Edgbaston by 5 runs — one of cricket's most famous close ODI finals. Between 2002 and 2013 the tournament was held six times, with Australia, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, Pakistan, India, and South Africa all either winning or reaching finals. The 2013 edition in England was widely considered a high-quality tournament and India's victory marked the effective end of the original Champions Trophy era.
| Year | Host | Winner | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Bangladesh | South Africa | West Indies |
| 2000 | Kenya | New Zealand | India |
| 2002 | Sri Lanka/Zim | India/Sri Lanka (shared) | — |
| 2004 | England | West Indies | England |
| 2006 | India | Australia | West Indies |
| 2009 | South Africa | Australia | New Zealand |
| 2013 | England | India | England |
| 2025 | Pakistan/UAE/Ind | India | New Zealand |
The 2025 Revival: Pakistan as Host
After 12 years without a Champions Trophy, the ICC revived the tournament in February–March 2025, hosted primarily by Pakistan — their first ICC major event since the 1996 World Cup (co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka). Due to India's government not granting permission for the Indian team to travel to Pakistan, India's matches were played at a neutral venue in Dubai, UAE. India beat New Zealand by 4 wickets in the final at Dubai to claim the 2025 Champions Trophy — their third Champions Trophy title (2002, 2013, 2025). The tournament was commercially successful and confirmed the Champions Trophy's viability alongside the World Cup in the ICC's event calendar, with the next edition pencilled in for 2029.
Champions Trophy vs. World Cup: Key Differences
The Champions Trophy is deliberately distinguished from the ODI World Cup in several ways. Teams: Champions Trophy has 8 teams (the top-ranked ODI nations); the World Cup has 10–14 teams including qualifying nations. Duration: Champions Trophy is shorter (typically 15–18 days vs. six weeks for the World Cup). Format: more knockout-oriented in the Champions Trophy, with fewer group-stage matches before the knockouts. Prestige: the World Cup is universally considered more prestigious as cricket's ultimate 50-over prize. The Champions Trophy sits below the World Cup but above bilateral series in the ICC event hierarchy — high-prestige but not the absolute peak, making it a tournament that top teams take seriously without it carrying the existential weight of a World Cup campaign.
Frequently asked questions
Who has won the most ICC Champions Trophies?
India lead with three Champions Trophy titles: 2002 (shared with Sri Lanka after the final washed out — officially counted as a title for both nations by the ICC), 2013 (beat England at Edgbaston), and 2025 (beat New Zealand by 4 wickets in the Dubai final). Australia won twice (2006, 2009). South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand, and Pakistan each won once.
Why was the Champions Trophy discontinued after 2013?
The ICC chose to simplify its calendar by focusing on the ODI World Cup and the newer T20 World Cup, which had launched in 2007 and quickly became highly popular. The Champions Trophy was seen as unnecessary given the World Cup's pre-eminence in 50-over cricket. The tournament was revived in 2025 after broadcasters and member boards requested its return as a high-prestige event in the non-World Cup years.
Which countries qualify for the Champions Trophy?
The Champions Trophy invites the top eight ranked ODI nations at a specified qualification cutoff date (typically 12–18 months before the tournament). The ICC ODI rankings at that date determine which eight teams participate. This means the Champions Trophy features only the elite ODI nations, with no qualifying path for lower-ranked Associate Members — a deliberate design choice that differentiates it from the more inclusive World Cup format.