ICC Champions Trophy History Explained
The history of the ICC Champions Trophy — from the Wills International Cup in 1998 to the modern era — including all winners and memorable moments.
Champions Trophy Winners
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Host |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | South Africa | West Indies | Bangladesh |
| 2000 | New Zealand | India | Kenya |
| 2002 | India / Sri Lanka (shared) | — | Sri Lanka |
| 2004 | West Indies | England | England |
| 2006 | Australia | West Indies | India |
| 2009 | Australia | New Zealand | South Africa |
| 2013 | India | England | England |
| 2017 | Pakistan | India | England |
| 2025 | Pakistan | India | Pakistan |
What Is the Champions Trophy?
The ICC Champions Trophy is a 50-over international tournament featuring the top eight ICC-ranked teams. It has been called the 'mini World Cup' because of its compact format and high quality of cricket. Originally known as the Wills International Cup when first held in 1998, it was rebranded as the Champions Trophy in 2002. The tournament was suspended from 2013 to 2025 while the ICC focused on the expanded World Cup format.
Pakistan's Dominant 2017 Performance
Pakistan's 2017 Champions Trophy win in England was one of cricket's most dramatic narratives. They lost their opening group game to India by 124 runs and were ranked 8th in the world, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament. They then beat a string of higher-ranked teams to reach the final, where they crushed India by 180 runs — one of the biggest swings in one-team tournament form in cricket history.
Frequently asked questions
Why was the Champions Trophy suspended after 2013?
The ICC consolidated its tournament calendar, introducing the 50-over World Cup with more teams and expanding the T20 World Cup. The Champions Trophy was reintroduced in 2025 as part of a new four-year cycle.
Which team has won the Champions Trophy most often?
India lead with three Champions Trophy titles (2002 shared with Sri Lanka, 2013, 2025). Australia have won it twice (2006, 2009). South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand/Sri Lanka (2002 shared), and Pakistan have each won it once.