ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Country-wise breakdown of total travel journey

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has witnessed teams travelling extensively between Pakistan and UAE venues. While India's fixtures were confined to Dubai, which triggered debates about an unfair advantage, travel distances for other teams were significant. However, no official objections were raised before the tournament. Notably, players regularly travel long distances during franchise leagues like the IPL without complaint.

Team India, having played all their matches in Dubai, recorded the least travel distance of zero kilometres(KM). England, who played all their group-stage matches in Pakistan before being eliminated, travelled approximately 1,020 km. Pakistan covered about 3,133 km, playing their games in Karachi, Dubai, and Rawalpindi. Afghanistan’s journey began with their first match in Karachi and the rest in Lahore, covering around 1,200 km.

Bangladesh started in Dubai against India before heading to Rawalpindi for their next two games, covering about 1,953 km. Australia also travelled extensively, beginning in Lahore, moving to Rawalpindi, back to Lahore, and finally to Dubai for the semis, summing up to roughly 2,509 km.

Also Check- Champions Trophy 2025: IND vs NZ Final Predictions – Winner, Most Runs, Most Wickets & Player of the Match

New Zealand travelled most as they reached final of Champions Trophy

Apart from them, South Africa played four matches but boarded five flights, travelling between Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Dubai before heading back to Lahore for their semifinal against New Zealand. Their total travel distance was approximately 3,286 km. Meanwhile, New Zealand had the longest journey, travelling 7,048 km. Their matches were spread across Karachi, Rawalpindi, Dubai, and Lahore before they returned to Dubai for the final against India.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Junaid Khan spoke about the ongoing controversy around scheduling the 2025 Champions Trophy and blamed the BCCI and the Indian team for benefitting from it. He mentioned that some teams win based on their skills, while some win through scheduling.

"Distance travelled between matches in Champions Trophy 2025: New Zealand: 7,150 KM, South Africa: 3,286 KM, India: 0 KM. Some teams win by skill, some win by scheduling," he tweeted.

Meanwhile, geopolitical reasons restricted the Men in Blue from travelling to their neighbouring country, Pakistan, for the competition. After which ICC named the UAE as the neutral venue for all India's matches. Furthermore, India has been accused of getting an undue advantage by playing all their matches at a single venue, while the rest of the teams had to travel between more than two cities.