MUMBAI: PVR Inox, India's largest cinema chain, has partnered with JioStar to screen live matches from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, beginning with the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash on 23 February in Dubai.

The cinema exhibitor will broadcast matches across more than 150 screens nationwide, including the India versus New Zealand fixture on 2 March. Additional screenings of semi-finals and finals will be arranged should India progress in the tournament.

"This association combines two of India's greatest passions: cricket and cinema," said Gautam Dutta, chief executive of revenue and operations at PVR INOX. He noted that similar screenings last year drew substantial audiences across cities, demonstrating strong demand for communal sports viewing experiences.

The initiative will span major metropolitan areas and tier-2 and tier-3 cities, including Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, and Lucknow. Viewers will have access to PVR INOX's full range of food and beverage offerings during matches.

The partnership represents a significant move by PVR INOX to diversify its entertainment portfolio, leveraging its cinema technology to create stadium-like atmospheres for major sporting events. All matches will be shown at 1:00 PM GST (Gulf Standard Time).

The screenings mark an interesting convergence of traditional cinema exhibition and live sports broadcasting, potentially opening new revenue streams for the theatre chain while providing cricket fans with an alternative viewing experience.