PSL 2026 Expansion Explained: New Teams Auction, Cities, Bidders

Pakistan Super League (PSL) will face the biggest transformation as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is now getting prepared to expand the league into eight teams, marking the 2026 season. Seven years after Multan Sultans was included, making it six teams, the league now enters the new chapter geared towards growth, scale, and long-term commercial sustainability.

In lieu of such an extension, the PCB will hold an auction to finalize two new franchises - a landmark moment as the PSL kicks itself into the second decade.

Auction for New Teams of PSL: Date, Time, and Venue

The auction for the ownership of new PSL teams will take place in Islamabad on January 8, Thursday i.e is today, in the Jinnah Convention Centre, starting from 4:15 pm local time.

The auction will be live-streamed on the PCB's official YouTube channel, with further viewership options available on Tapmad, Tamasha, Myco, and PCB Live (UK). The event is expected to feature a live performance by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan after the bidding has ended.

Reason for the Current Expansion of PSL

The expansion, in turn, is closely tied to the franchise agreements of 2021 when the PCB guaranteed no additions to teams until the existing franchises exit after the 2025 season. This was enforced so that franchise valuations were not hurt financially.

With this now having been completed, the PCB decided to speed ahead with expansion that has already been in discussion since the inception of the league itself. The PSL was originally launched as a five-team competition in 2016 before the addition of Multan Sultans in 2018.

Cities Shortlisted for New PSL Teams

Some six cities have been put on a shortlist, whereupon successful bidders will gain naming rights for their franchise.

Who Are the Bidders?

There were 12 entities interested, of which 10 bidders made it past the technical evaluation. The bidders come from a variety of industries, including telecom, real estate, technology, fintech, and energy.

Shortlisted Bidders for PSL New Teams Auction

Notably, Ali Tareen, the former owner of Multan Sultans, is also expected to bid. The clearance for his ownership was due only after the end of 2025, but the PCB has confirmed that the franchise shall be independently managed for 2026 and put on sale after the end of the season.

What Happens After the Auction?

The successful bidder(s) will secure their franchise rights for 10 years. The addition of two teams will also affect:

• Player-retention rules
• Structure of the draft
• Squad balance among all teams

The PCB has not yet confirmed a date for the PSL 2026 player draft, as they are still debating fairness for both the existing and the new franchises.

PSL 2026 Window and Clash with IPL

2026 PSL shall be run from March 26 to May 3; once again, the Indian Premier League clashes with it. The PCB remains hopeful rider player availability, on the back of a successful 2025 season which generated great viewership and competitive squads even during the overlap.