Champions Trophy 2025: National Stadium Karachi renovation enters final phase

The renovation and upgrade of National Stadium Karachi for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 have entered the final phase, with the completion deadline extended for the third time.

The deadline for completion has been extended for the third time, with a firm commitment to complete the work by January 31. Arshad Khan, General Manager of the National Stadium, and Project Manager Mohammad Bilal Chohan assured the media that the construction work would be finished on time for the mega event, Express News reported.

Initially, the first phase of the upgrade, which was scheduled to be completed by December 15 and later extended to December 31, was then pushed to January 25. However, it has now been confirmed that all finishing work will be completed by January 31, making the stadium ready to host the event.

The renovation project, which started on October 22 after approval from the PCB's governing board under the chairmanship of Mohsin Naqvi, is set to meet its target with the help of the involved construction firms.

The infrastructure for the five-story building is complete, including facilities on the ground floor such as the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit, Anti-Doping Unit, physiotherapy rooms, and match officials' rooms. The construction of two dressing rooms on the second floor is in its final stage

The third and fourth floors are nearly finished, with 24 hospitality boxes that can accommodate 1,000 people. The fifth floor will also feature chairman boxes and an administration block, which will be completed on schedule.

Additionally, a new corridor is being constructed for guest access, and a modern player entry and exit route is being created, similar to those in international stadiums. VIP pavilions are being set up around the new building, and teams will enter the stadium through gate number 11. Each floor will have its own separate entrance, and state-of-the-art lifts are being installed for guest convenience.

Modern LED lighting, similar to those in stadiums in Australia, England, and South Africa, is being installed, with each light costing approximately Rs1.2 million. A total of 360 lights will be installed on six poles, with an estimated cost of 430 million rupees. The project also includes the installation of two floodlight poles for practice sessions at the Oval Ground outside the main stadium.

Further, three 3D logos are being added to enhance the visual appeal of the stadium. The parking area for 2,700 vehicles is ready but will require ICC approval for use. Due to ongoing construction, the stadium's seating capacity has temporarily reduced from 32,000 to 28,000, but an additional 2,000 people can still be accommodated in the pavilion.

With a total cost of Rs3.5 billion, the renovation is focused on safety and security measures. All stakeholders have been consulted to ensure the smooth conduct of the matches in Karachi. The renovation is expected to be completed on time, and the stadium is set to host three matches in the Champions Trophy, as per the ICC schedule.

Due to the ongoing work, the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, originally scheduled to take place at the National Stadium, has been shifted to UBL Ground. Additionally, the first Test match against the West Indies, initially planned for January 17–21, has been moved to Multan.

The opening ceremony of the ICC Champions Trophy will take place at the National Stadium on February 19, followed by the opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand. The second match, between Afghanistan and South Africa, will be held on February 21, and the third match, between England and South Africa, is scheduled for March 1.