The Pakistan Super League’s 11th edition will begin on March 26, 2026, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Monday, even as uncertainty continues over the addition of two new franchises.
“The PSL 11 is scheduled to take place from 26 March to 3 May, 2026,” the PCB said in a statement after chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced the dates during a roadshow in New York late Sunday night.
The league has been shifted from its traditional February–March window and will now run parallel to the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is set to begin its 18th edition on March 22, 2026.
Expansion Still in Limbo Despite PCB Optimism
While the PCB has described the confirmation of dates as a “significant milestone” ahead of the league’s next phase, sources told Telecomasia.net that the proposed addition of two new teams remains unresolved.
The PCB had to extend the bidding process for two new teams until December 22 as the interest looks less than expected, largely because the base prices are higher than anticipated.
The extension suggests that investor appetite has not yet matched the board’s expectations, despite aggressive international outreach.
New Teams Auction Scheduled for January 2026
Following the bidding process, the PCB plans to host the New Teams Auction on January 8, 2026, at the Islamabad Convention Centre. The event will determine ownership rights for the two new HBL PSL franchises. According to the PCB, the auction will be broadcast live to ensure transparency and global visibility.
The auction will be broadcasted, providing transparency and global visibility to prospective investors and cricket fans worldwide. The PSL continues to attract strong international interest, reflecting the league’s growing commercial strength, expanding global footprint and long-term growth potential.
PCB Extends Deadline Citing Global Interest
Last week, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi formally announced the extension of the bidding deadline.
Witnessing growing interest from Europe, USA, the Middle East and beyond in acquiring new PSL teams, we have decided to extend the bid submission deadline by one week to 22 December 2025.
As part of the expansion drive, the PCB hosted PSL roadshows in London and New York, featuring current Pakistan players including Salman Ali Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel, alongside legends Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja, as well as singer Ali Zafar.
However, sources noted that while several investors attended the events, many remained reluctant to commit to purchasing new franchises.
However, sources noted that while several investors attended the events, many remained reluctant to commit to purchasing new franchises.
If finalized, the addition of two teams would mark the PSL’s first major structural expansion since 2018, when Multan Sultans joined the league as the sixth franchise. The PSL was launched in 2016 and has steadily grown in stature and commercial value. For now, the league’s dates are locked in — but its long-planned expansion remains a work in progress.
