New Delhi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium is “ready to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025,” offering a sneak peek of its newly renovated facilities. Currently undergoing its largest renovation since the 1996 World Cup, the venue has introduced several new upgrades, including a deep dry moat to prevent pitch invasions. The moat, which is 10 feet wide and deep, replaces the old steel cage that once separated the stands from the playing field. Additionally, the boundary wall surrounding the moat has been fenced, with plans for a net to prevent balls from falling into the ditch and to make retrieving them easier.
When images of the Gaddafi Stadium moat first surfaced, its purpose remained unclear, sparking speculation about whether it was designed for drainage or to prevent fans from trespassing onto the field. It wasn’t until stadium officials provided a detailed progress report that the real intent became clear—enhanced security measures to safeguard the pitch and control crowd access.
Other notable upgrades at Gaddafi Stadium include a brand-new pavilion building, modernised amenities, re-profiled enclosures, and an increased seating capacity. Originally, when the stadium opened in 1959, it could accommodate around 40,000 spectators. However, renovations for the 1996 World Cup—whose final was hosted by Lahore—reduced the capacity to 27,000. With the latest renovations, the revamped Gaddafi Stadium is now set to host up to 35,000 fans for a sell-out game.
The newly upgraded Gaddafi Stadium will be inaugurated by Pakistan’s Prime Minister on February 7, according to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The opening will coincide with the eve of the One-Day International (ODI) tri-series featuring Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand. The first two matches of the series are scheduled to take place at Gaddafi Stadium on February 8 and 10, while the third and final ODI will be hosted at the National Stadium in Karachi. This trilateral tournament has been strategically planned in preparation for the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy, which makes its return after an eight-year hiatus.
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