In a landmark moment for international cricket, the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy Final shattered global viewership records, becoming the most-watched cricket match in the tournament’s history. The epic showdown between India and Pakistan at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground drew unprecedented digital and broadcast audiences across continents, reaffirming the sport’s rapidly growing global footprint.
| Viewership Metric | Figures Reported | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Total Global Viewership | 370 million+ | Highest in ICC Champions Trophy history |
| Peak Concurrent Viewers (All Platforms) | 102 million | Record digital peak across all broadcasters |
| Viewership in India | 210 million+ | 56% of total global audience |
| Viewership in Pakistan | 90 million+ | Second highest market |
| Hotstar Peak Streaming (India) | 75 million concurrent viewers | New all-time digital record |
| Social Media Impressions (Match Day) | 1.6 billion+ | Across Instagram, Twitter/X, YouTube & Threads |
| Digital vs TV Split (Global) | 61% Digital / 39% TV | Shift toward mobile-first viewership |
| Viewership Growth vs 2022 Edition | +34% increase | Driven by India vs Pakistan clash & streaming |
| Emerging Market Contribution | 40 million+ viewers(approx) | From USA, UAE, Canada, Germany |
The final, which ended in a dramatic last-over finish with India clinching the title by 3 wickets, captivated audiences not only across traditional cricketing nations but also in newer markets like the United States, UAE, Canada, and Germany, where cricket viewership is witnessing double-digit growth.
According to Star Sports India and ICC’s media partners, this final surpassed the viewership of the 2011 Cricket World Cup Final, which was previously considered the high watermark.
Digital Dominance: Streaming Shifts Landscape
Platforms such as Disney+ Hotstar, Willow TV, and FanCode reported massive traffic, with Hotstar’s record-breaking 75 million concurrent viewers smashing previous global digital viewership records — a figure surpassing the 2023 Cricket World Cup semi-final.
The rise of mobile-first streaming, particularly in India, has accelerated this shift. According to a report by Media Partners Asia, over 62% of viewers accessed the final via mobile devices.
Key Factors Driving the Surge
- India vs Pakistan Rivalry – Cricket’s most passionate and watched rivalry.
- Accessible Streaming – Affordable internet and mobile-friendly platforms.
- Primetime Slot in Asia – Optimized timing boosted regional viewership.
- Engagement-Driven Coverage – Real-time social media coverage, AR-enhanced match visuals, and multilingual commentary.
- Global Diaspora – Large South Asian communities in North America, Europe, and the Middle East contributed significantly to the numbers.
ICC and Broadcasters React
Geoff Allardice, ICC CEO, remarked:
“This final is a testament to cricket’s universal appeal. The numbers we’ve seen are not just record-breaking, but transformational for how the game is consumed globally.”
Sanjog Gupta, Head of Sports at Star India, added:
“We witnessed a digital revolution on the night of the final. It reflects the sport’s evolving relationship with its audience.”
BCCI Secretary and ICC Chairman Jay Shah hailed the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy Final as a historic milestone for global cricket viewership. In an official statement, Shah revealed that the tournament amassed a staggering 368 billion global viewing minutes, marking a 19% increase from the previous edition in 2017. He emphasized that the final match alone generated 65.3 billion live viewing minutes, reflecting a 52% surge compared to 2017. Shah credited the tournament’s success to the intensified India-Pakistan rivalry, enhanced digital accessibility, and growing cricket interest in emerging markets like the USA, Australia, and the Middle East. These record-breaking numbers, he noted, underscore cricket’s evolving global appeal and the ICC’s strategic focus on digital-first viewership.
What This Means for Cricket’s Future
The viewership boom reinforces the potential of T20 and ODI tournaments to serve as commercial powerhouses, attracting global sponsorships, advertising investments, and broader international appeal. It also opens pathways for further digital innovation and localization strategies.
With the 2026 T20 World Cup around the corner, hosted by USA and West Indies, industry insiders predict an even larger wave of viewers, particularly from emerging non-traditional markets.