Spectacular reopening of Gaddafi Stadium tomorrow, free entry

LAHORE: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 celebrations will kick off with the official grand reopening of the newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium tomorrow (Friday).

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been invited as the chief guest for the grand unveiling, where he will officially inaugurate the redesigned stadium.

The venue has undergone extensive upgrades to enhance the match-day experience for players and spectators.

To ensure maximum fan engagement, the PCB has announced free entry for spectators, with gates opening at 5:30 PM and the Gaddafi Stadium reopening ceremony commencing at 7 PM. However, the Imran Khan enclosure will remain closed to the public.

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Adding to the festivities, PCB has also planned a special event at Karachi’s National Stadium, where President Asif Ali Zardari will be the chief guest.

RENAMING OF GADDAFI STADIUM

As part of its modernisation efforts, PCB has renamed the pavilions at Gaddafi Stadium to honour national heroes. The main building’s pavilion is now called the Jinnah End, while the far-end pavilion has been named the Iqbal End—a tribute to Pakistan’s founding figures, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal.

Additionally, PCB has confirmed that the name “Gaddafi Stadium” will be changed after the conclusion of the Champions Trophy.

The venue, originally named after former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, was completely redesigned in 1995-96 ahead of the 1996 World Cup. Designed by architect Nayyar Ali Dada, the stadium’s Mughal-inspired red brickwork and arches make it an architectural landmark. It was also the first stadium in Pakistan to be equipped with modern floodlights and backup power generators.

The stadium has witnessed many historic cricketing moments, including Pakistan’s 281-run fifth-wicket partnership between Javed Miandad and Asif Iqbal against New Zealand in 1976 and an innings and 324-run victory over the same team in 2002. It also hosted the 1996 World Cup final, watched by over 60,000 spectators.

FIRST MATCH AT NEW GADDAFI STADIUM

The on-field action will officially begin on February 8, when Pakistan takes on New Zealand in the Tri-Nation Series—the first match to be played in the newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium. This series will serve as a prelude to the ICC Champions Trophy, where Pakistan and New Zealand will face off again in the tournament opener on February 19 at Karachi’s National Stadium.

As the global cricket spotlight turns to Pakistan, the Champions Trophy 2025 promises to bring thrilling contests between the world’s best teams.