Difference Between ICC Champions Trophy and World Cup

India created history on March 9, 2025, by defeating New Zealand in the India vs New Zealand final match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. With this win, India clinched its third Champions Trophy title, adding to their previous victories in 2002 (joint-winners with Sri Lanka) and 2013 (under MS Dhoni's captaincy). This time, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India successfully chased down a target of 252 runs in 49 overs, securing a thrilling four-wicket victory. 

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 🇮🇳🏆

India get their hands on a third #ChampionsTrophy title 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Dl0rSpXIZR

— ICC (@ICC) March 9, 2025

The winning team was seen wearing the iconic white blazers, a tradition followed since the inception of the Champions Trophy in 1998. This white jacket represents championship glory, making it one of the most prestigious cricket tournaments, second only to the ODI World Cup. 

Following this major win, many cricket enthusiasts are curious to know: What is the ICC Champions Trophy? How is it different from the ODI World Cup? Why does the Champions Trophy have a shorter format, and why do teams wear white blazers in the Champions Trophy but not in the World Cup?

In this article, we will break down the key differences between the ICC Champions Trophy and the ODI World Cup, helping fans understand the origin, format, participating teams, and other key trivia.

What is ICC Champions Trophy?

The ICC Champions Trophy is an international One Day International (ODI) cricket tournament organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). It is widely known as the "Mini World Cup" due to its competitive nature and shorter format. 

Origin of Champions Trophy

The tournament was initially introduced as the ICC KnockOut Trophy in 1998, primarily aimed at raising funds for the development of cricket in non-Test playing nations. The first two editions were held in Bangladesh (1998) and Kenya (2000), and the format was simple - a knockout tournament with limited teams. 

In 2002, it was officially renamed the ICC Champions Trophy, with the goal of featuring the top-performing teams and promoting intense cricketing competition. Since then, it has been held in various cricket-playing countries such as England, South Africa, and India. 

Format of ICC Champions Trophy

• The tournament initially involved all ICC full members, but in 2009, it was restricted to the top eight ranked teams in the ICC ODI Rankings. 
• From 2025 onwards, only the top eight teams from the ICC Cricket World Cup will qualify for the Champions Trophy. 
• Unlike the ODI World Cup, which runs for over a month, the Champions Trophy is a short tournament lasting about two weeks. 
• The winner of the Champions Trophy is honored with an iconic white blazer, the Champions Trophy, and prize money. 

Why Was ICC KnockOut Trophy Renamed Champions Trophy in 2002?

The tournament was initially called the ICC KnockOut Trophy from 1998 to 2000, where the matches were direct eliminations (knockout games). However, in 2002, ICC modified the tournament's structure to a round-robin + knockout format, similar to a World Cup but on a smaller scale. 

The name was changed to the ICC Champions Trophy to signify a competition where only the best teams in the world could participate, promoting intense and high-level cricket. 

Champions Trophy 2025: Why Do the Winners Wear White Jackets?

The iconic #ChampionsTrophy White Jackets look good on India 🤩

More 👉 https://t.co/SGA6TKUuGX pic.twitter.com/oyZ6CcKO35

— ICC (@ICC) March 9, 2025

The iconic white jackets worn by the winners of the ICC Champions Trophy were introduced in 2009 during the sixth edition of the tournament held in South Africa. The jacket was first introduced on August 13, 2009, and has since become a symbol of pride for the winners of the Champions Trophy. The idea behind the white jackets was to give the Champions Trophy a unique identity, similar to the green jacket tradition in The Masters golf tournament.

The white jacket was designed by Mumbai-based fashion designer Babita M, using rich Italian wool blends with gold braiding and the Champions Trophy logo embroidered with a golden contour. It symbolizes prestige and championship glory, setting the Champions Trophy apart from other ICC events.

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What is the ODI World Cup?

The ODI World Cup, officially known as the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, is the biggest and most prestigious cricket tournament held once every four years. The tournament involves a large number of qualifying and associate teams, unlike the Champions Trophy, which only includes the top eight teams. 

Origin of the ODI World Cup

The first ODI World Cup was held in 1975 in England, and since then, it has become the most significant cricketing event. Winning the ODI World Cup is considered the pinnacle of achievement in cricket. 

Format of the ODI World Cup

• The World Cup typically involves 10-14 teams, including Full Members and Associate Members.
• It spans over one and a half months, with group stages, Super 12, semifinals, and finals.
• Winning the ODI World Cup comes with no particular dress code or tradition like the white blazer in the Champions Trophy. Instead, the team is handed the prestigious World Cup trophy and prize money.

Major Differences Between ICC Champions Trophy and ODI World Cup 

Here’s a detailed comparison between the two prestigious ICC tournaments: 

Conclusion

Both the ICC Champions Trophy and the ODI World Cup hold immense significance in the cricketing world but serve different purposes. The Champions Trophy, often dubbed as the "Mini World Cup," is a short, intense tournament involving only the top-performing teams. In contrast, the ODI World Cup is a massive global tournament that involves teams from all over the world, making it the biggest cricketing event globally.

As cricket fans eagerly await the 2027 ODI World Cup, the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy saw India's remarkable victory over New Zealand, marking their third title.

Key Trivia:

• India is the most successful team in Champions Trophy history with 3 titles (2002, 2013, 2025).
• The white blazer tradition in Champions Trophy was introduced in 2009.
• Australia remains the most successful team in World Cup history with 5 titles.
• The next ICC Champions Trophy will be held in 2029 in India.

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