The Pakistan Super League (PSL) enters a bold new chapter with its 2026 edition, dubbed HBL PSL 11, as it swells to eight teams for the first time, promising fiercer rivalries and broader appeal. Shifting to the April-May window to dodge weather woes and snag more international stars, this season kicks off amid franchise shake-ups and draft hype. While the full fixture list awaits final tweaks post the January 2026 auctions, early outlines point to a jam-packed calendar of 44 league matches plus playoffs, blending tradition with fresh energy across Pakistan’s iconic venues.
Tournament Essentials: Dates, Format, and the Big Shift
PSL 2026 marks a pivotal evolution. The league, organized by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), moves permanently to April-May starting this year to boost player availability—especially with the IPL wrapping up—and sidestep the foggy February-March slot that plagued past seasons. This aligns with the ICC Champions Trophy’s February 2026 dates, freeing up the calendar.
The format amps up the action: Eight teams in a double round-robin setup, but streamlined to 40 league games (each team plays 10 matches: twice against group foes, once against the other group in a potential two-group split). Top four advance to playoffs—Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the final—adding four more clashes for a total of 44 T20 thrillers over six weeks.
- Start Date: April 11, 2026 (opener in Rawalpindi).
- Final Date: May 25, 2026 (Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore).
- Match Timings: Day games at 2:00 PM PKT; evenings at 7:00 PM PKT (shifting to 9:00 PM during Ramadan for iftar vibes).
- Double-Headers: At least 10 on weekends to maximize fan frenzy.
Ramadan’s overlap (mid-April) adds cultural flavor, with games timed post-iftar to keep energy high without fatigue.
| Phase | Dates | Matches | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| League Stage | April 11 – May 10 | 40 | Two groups of four; balanced home/away |
| Qualifier 1 | May 21 | 1 (1st vs. 2nd) | Lahore |
| Eliminator | May 22 | 1 (3rd vs. 4th) | Lahore |
| Qualifier 2 | May 24 | 1 | Lahore |
| Final | May 25 | 1 | Gaddafi Stadium; PKR 40 crore prize |
This structure, honed from fan feedback, ensures no team feels shortchanged while keeping the pace brisk.
The Eight Teams: Veterans Reloaded, Newcomers on Deck
The expansion steals the spotlight. Five original franchises—Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, Peshawar Zalmi, Islamabad United, and Quetta Gladiators—locked in 10-year renewals at fees from PKR 340-670 million annually. Multan Sultans’ spot hangs in limbo after owner Ali Tareen’s exit over financial gripes, reverting rights to PCB for re-auction.
Two shiny new franchises join via bids closing December 15, 2025, with auctions on January 6, 2026. Shortlisted cities: Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, Gilgit. Winners snag home bases and names, injecting regional fire—picture Faisalabad’s textile-town grit or Gilgit’s high-altitude edge.
The player draft follows on January 13, 2026, at Lahore Fort, ditching auctions for picks from 600+ hopefuls. Retentions like Shaheen Afridi (Lahore) and Babar Azam (Peshawar) anchor squads, with salary hikes (up 20%) luring IPL absentees. Expect 70% local talent per PCB rules, nurturing stars like 2025 breakout Mohammad Naeem.
| Team | Status | Key Retentions | Projected Home Venue (Matches) | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lahore Qalandars | Renewed | Shaheen Afridi, Sikandar Raza | Gaddafi Stadium (10) | Pace dynasty builders |
| Karachi Kings | Renewed | Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali | National Stadium (8) | Spin in sea air |
| Peshawar Zalmi | Renewed | Babar Azam, Wahab Riaz | Arbab Niaz (guest, 4) | Batting fireworks |
| Islamabad United | Renewed | Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan | Rawalpindi Stadium (8) | All-round balance |
| Quetta Gladiators | Renewed | Abrar Ahmed, Saud Shakeel | Gaddafi (guest, 4) | Mystery spinners |
| Multan Sultans (or successor) | Re-auction | Usman Khan (TBD) | Multan Stadium (5) | Power hitters |
| New Franchise 1 (e.g., Faisalabad Fighters) | Auction | Post-draft | Faisalabad (4) | Underdog hustle |
| New Franchise 2 (e.g., Hyderabad Hawks) | Auction | Post-draft | Hyderabad (4) | Fresh rivalries |
These lineups promise chaos—Lahore chasing a fourth title, newcomers gunning for upsets.
Venues and Vibes: Where the Magic Happens
PSL’s soul thrives in its stadia, and 2026 spreads the love. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium opens with the ceremony, hosting 10 games under modern lights. Lahore’s Gaddafi (12 matches, including playoffs) pulses with 25,000-strong roars. Karachi’s National Stadium (8) owns derbies; Multan (6) brings southern swing. New teams add 4-5 each, potentially unveiling gems like Sialkot’s revamped ground.
HBL’s sponsorship (extended to 2027) pumps PKR 500 million into prizes and tours—the Luminara Trophy’s zircon sparkle will crisscross pre-season. Broadcasting hits 100+ countries via PTV, Daraz, and Willow, with AR overlays for global fans.
Buzz and Hurdles: What’s Stirring the Pot
Social media’s ablaze: X threads debate 44 vs. 60-game formats, with #PSL11 hitting trends. PCB’s Lahore meet (November 13) hashed schedules, but Multan’s limbo sparks worry—will it rebrand or fade? Optimism reigns, though; profits from 2025 ($3M+) fuel growth.
Early fixtures tease fireworks: April 11 opener pits Islamabad vs. Lahore in Rawalpindi; April 12 sees Karachi vs. Multan (or successor) in Karachi. Islamabad’s full slate starts April 17 vs. Qalandars if tweaks hit.
PSL 2026 isn’t just cricket—it’s Pakistan’s beating heart, expanded and electrified. As bids roll in, one thing’s clear: Eight teams mean eight times the drama. Who’s your pick to lift the trophy?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will PSL 2026 (PSL 11) start and end?
The tournament is scheduled to begin on April 11, 2026, and the final will be played on May 25, 2026.
How many teams will participate in PSL 2026?
PSL 11 will feature 8 teams for the first time – the existing 6 franchises plus 2 new teams.
Which cities are getting the two new PSL franchises?
The new teams will be from cities such as Faisalabad, Sialkot, Hyderabad, Rawalpindi, Muzaffarabad, or Gilgit. Final selection will be confirmed after the bidding process in January 2026.
What is the format of PSL 2026?
Eight teams will play a total of 44 matches (40 league-stage + 4 playoffs) in a double round-robin or grouped format, followed by Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Grand Final.
Where will the PSL 2026 matches be played?
Matches will be hosted in Lahore (Gaddafi Stadium), Karachi (National Stadium), Rawalpindi, Multan, and the home cities of the two new franchises.
When is the PSL 2026 player draft?
The player draft is expected on January 13, 2026, at Lahore Fort.
Will Multan Sultans continue in PSL 11?
Their participation is uncertain due to ownership issues; the PCB may re-auction or rebrand the franchise if renewal fails.
What are the match timings for PSL 2026?
Day matches: 2:00 PM PKT
Night matches: 7:00 PM PKT (9:00 PM during Ramadan for iftar).
Who will broadcast PSL 2026 in Pakistan and worldwide?
In Pakistan: PTV Sports, Daraz, and A Sports. Internationally: Willow TV, Sky Sports, and other regional partners (to be confirmed).
How much is the prize money for PSL 2026?
The winning team is expected to receive around PKR 40 crore (approximately USD 1.4 million), with the total prize pool significantly higher than previous seasons.
