Dubai: In a testament to the fervor surrounding cricket’s greatest rivalry, tickets for the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan match at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai were snapped up within minutes of going on sale. The rush was so intense that over 150,000 eager fans queued online, causing waiting times to exceed an hour.

Residents and cricket enthusiasts alike were taken aback by the overwhelming demand. Sudhashree, a Dubai resident, expressed her astonishment, saying, “I anticipated a long queue, but the speed at which tickets vanished was shocking. By the time I secured my place, only two categories remained, both beyond my budget.”

Fans patiently queued for nearly an hour, only to find that tickets for the India-Pakistan showdown had sold out across nearly all categories, including the Dh2,000 Platinum and Dh5,000 Grand Lounge sections. With the Dubai International Cricket Stadium accommodating 25,000 spectators, the race for tickets highlighted the match’s immense popularity and significance.
Historically, an India vs Pakistan encounter not only electrifies the cricketing world but also catalyzes economic activity. Anticipating a surge in visitor numbers, industry experts predicted heightened activity across hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors, with expectations of increased hotel bookings and rising airfares as fans from both nations converge on Dubai for the event.
The sold-out status of tickets underscores the match’s status as a premier event on the cricket calendar, drawing fans not just from the host city but from around the globe. As anticipation builds, cricket enthusiasts await what promises to be a thrilling contest between these two cricketing powerhouses.