Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey

India and Bangladesh were greeted by a low crowd in Dubai for their opening match of the 2025 Champions Trophy. After months of deliberation and meetings to discuss the location of India’s matches after choosing not to travel to Pakistan, the fans didn’t quite show up in their droves in Dubai to see two Asian teams go at it.

A sea of blue seats dominated the broadcast as India ripped through the Bangladesh top order early. It led to questions from fans as to the marketing efforts by the ICC around this Champions Trophy, as well as how engaged fans are with the concept given the sheer amount of ICC tournaments, especially since the start of 2021.

Fans react to low crowd in Dubai for India vs Bangladesh match

It remains to be seen how much the crowd builds throughout the day. However, there is the risk the match won’t last until the lights take effect given Bangladesh’s poor start.

“If a global cricket event can’t even fill a stadium for an India match, it’s an embarrassing failure of its administration and marketing,” wrote one fan on X. “Almost an empty stadium in Dubai for India vs Bangladesh. People are not taking Champions Trophy seriously,” wrote another.

Here are some other reactions.

What are your thoughts? Is the low crowd in Dubai just temporary until it builds further throughout the day? Or is the Champions Trophy lacking prestige in an environment where there are yearly ICC tournaments?

The winner of this contest will join New Zealand on two points in Group A. The Black Caps were too strong for Pakistan on the opening day, defeating the hosts by 60 runs.