ICC Champions Trophy is a major ODI cricket tournament. It features the best teams in the world. Started in 1998 as the ICC Knockout Trophy, it’s now known as the “mini World Cup.” This post covers all the winners from 1998 to 2025. We’ll look at its history, highlight big moments, and share a full list of champions. Whether you love cricket or are just curious, this guide has you covered.
India won the 2025 Champions Trophy, beating New Zealand by four wickets in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 9 March 2025. It was India’s third title and their seventh men’s ICC trophy overall. They had reached the final by beating Australia in the semi-final, chasing 265 with 3.3 overs to spare, with Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill the standout performers, and played every match of the tournament in Dubai.
The 2025 edition was the most recent. The next Champions Trophy is scheduled for 2029, with India confirmed as hosts under the ICC’s 2024-2031 Future Tours Programme, so India go into it as defending champions.
History of the Tournament
The ICC Champions Trophy started in 1998 to raise funds for cricket in smaller nations. The first event was held in Bangladesh with nine teams. South Africa won. It was initially called the ICC Knockout Trophy but changed its name in 2002. That year, it added more teams and switched to a round-robin format.
The tournament’s format has changed over time. From 1998 to 2006, the number of teams varied, reaching 12 in 2002. That year, India and Sri Lanka shared the title after rain disrupted the final. Since 2009, it’s been a smaller event with the top eight ODI teams, held every four years. Hosts have included countries like Kenya, England, and India, showing its worldwide reach.
The 2025 edition returned after an eight-year break. Pakistan hosted it, with India’s matches moved to the UAE under a neutral-venue arrangement. Prize money was $6.9 million, a 53% increase on 2017.
List of Winners
Here is the complete list of ICC Champions Trophy winners from 1998 to 2025, covering all nine editions of the tournament.
| Year | Host(s) | Winner | Runners-Up | Teams | Matches | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Bangladesh | South Africa | West Indies | 9 | 8 | Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka | South Africa won by 4 wickets |
| 2000 | Kenya | New Zealand | India | 11 | 10 | Gymkhana Club Ground, Nairobi | New Zealand won by 4 wickets |
| 2002 | Sri Lanka | India and Sri Lanka (co-champions) | – | 12 | 15 | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | Declared co-champions due to rain |
| 2004 | England | West Indies | England | 12 | – | The Oval, London | West Indies won by 2 wickets |
| 2006 | India | Australia | West Indies | 10 | 21 | Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai | Australia won by 8 wickets (D/L method) |
| 2009 | South Africa | Australia | New Zealand | 8 | 15 | SuperSport Park, Centurion | Australia won by 6 wickets |
| 2013 | England, Wales | India | England | 8 | – | Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham | India won by 5 runs |
| 2017 | England, Wales | Pakistan | India | 8 | – | The Oval, London | Pakistan won by 180 runs |
| 2025 | Pakistan, United Arab Emirates | India | New Zealand | 8 | – | Dubai International Cricket Stadium | India won by 4 wickets |
The table covers every tournament, from South Africa’s win in the inaugural 1998 event through to India’s title in 2025. The 2025 semi-finals were India against Australia and New Zealand against South Africa, with India and New Zealand going through to meet in Dubai.
Also Read — Virat Kohli Total Centuries in All Formats
Key Highlights and Records
The ICC Champions Trophy has created many memorable moments and impressive records:
- Most Successful Teams: India leads as the most successful team, with three wins, while Australia follows with two. India has won the Champions Trophy three times: in 2002 (as co-champion), 2013, and 2025.
- Unique Moments: The 2002 final is unique. India and Sri Lanka were named co-champions after rain canceled both days of play. This is a rare moment in cricket history.
- Biggest Victory: Pakistan’s 2017 win over India is the biggest victory in a final. They won by 180 runs, thanks to Fakhar Zaman’s powerful century.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the ICC Champions Trophy?
It’s an ODI cricket tournament organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC), featuring the world’s top teams in a knockout or round-robin format.
How often is the tournament held?
Initially biennial (every two years), it shifted to a four-year cycle starting in 2009, aligning with the ICC’s event calendar.
Which team has won the most titles?
India leads as the most successful team with three wins (2002 as co-champions, 2013 and 2025). Australia follows with two.
Who won the 2025 Champions Trophy?
India, beating New Zealand by four wickets in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 9 March 2025.
When is the next Champions Trophy?
2029, with India confirmed as hosts. The tournament runs on a four-year cycle.
Why was there a gap after 2017?
The ICC briefly replaced the Champions Trophy with T20 events but reinstated it due to its popularity and commercial success.
For more details on its history, visit the ICC official site.
Why This List Matters
The ICC Champions Trophy winners list is more than numbers—it’s a story of cricket’s best moments. From South Africa’s first win in 1998 to Pakistan’s surprise victory in 2017, each tournament shows skill, strategy, and sometimes luck (like the rain in 2002!).
With India’s 2025 win, the questions now point to 2029 on home soil. Can India make it four titles and a second in a row? Will Australia find a third? Or will a team outside the established group finally break through?
Final Thoughts
The ICC Champions Trophy has become a key part of cricket history, delivering close games and surprises since 1998. This winners list runs from South Africa’s 1998 title to India’s 2025 triumph in Dubai — nine editions, seven different winners, and one final washed out entirely. Attention now turns to 2029 in India.
For more on the players who shaped the 2025 campaign, see our profiles of Jasprit Bumrah and Shreyas Iyer.
Updated 13 August 2026 — the 2025 tournament has been completed and this page corrected accordingly. It previously described the 2025 final as upcoming and its result as unknown, while the results table already listed India as champions. Verified against ESPNcricinfo and the ICC’s Future Tours Programme.
