New PSL Franchises: PCB Extends Bid Deadline to Dec 22; Auction Confirmed for Jan 6, 2026

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) aims to expand the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to enhance commercial development, fan engagement, and the standard of sports in the country. To achieve this, the PCB has set the auction date for two new PSL franchises on January 6, 2026. After this auction, the league will consist of eight teams in its 11th edition.

First, interested parties must meet the technical qualifications and submit their proposals by December 22, 2025. Subsequently, the PCB Chairman stated that the board will announce the official team names after the auction.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that the winning franchise will receive 500,000$, while the runner-up will get 300,000$. In addition, a special award of 200,000$ will be given for the best development contributions.

Bid Submissions:

Interested parties must submit their proposals by December 15, 2025. This submission includes a refundable security deposit of $200,000 and a nonrefundable fee of $20,000.

Multan Sultans Status:

The owner of the existing Multan Sultans franchise chose not to renew the contract during the expansion process. Therefore, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has regained the ownership rights for the team and expects to initiate a new bidding process.

Key Goals:

The primary objectives of the expansion are to expand the league’s geographical footprint in Pakistan, create more opportunities for local players, and enhance the league’s commercial value and engagement.

To acquire a new team in PSL 2026, every investor must undergo a rigorous screening process called “Technical Qualification” before the financial bid.

What Does Technical Qualification Mean?

• 1. Financial Strength: Bidders must have adequate financial resources to support the team for a duration of 10 years.
• 2. Experience: Bidders must demonstrate substantial experience in managing large-scale businesses or sports operations.
• 3. Legal Compliance: Bidders must ensure that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) complies with all relevant Pakistani laws and tax regulations and is not subject to any legal restrictions.

Overall, only individuals who meet these technical standards are eligible to participate in the bidding process.

The addition of two new teams in PSL will affect organisational structures at the highest level.

1. Impact on Revenue:

**Primary Goal of Expansion:**  

The expansion aims to enhance PSL’s financial strength and commercial value.

**Valuation and Renewal:**  

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) enlisted a globally recognised firm, EY MENA, to determine the valuation of existing franchises. Five franchises have renewed their rights for 10 years based on their financial models.

**New Franchise Fee:**  

The PCB expects to receive a substantial upfront sum from the auction of two new teams, with each franchise potentially valued between $7 million and $10 million.

**Commercial Growth:**  

The introduction of more teams increases the number of matches. This will directly affect broadcast rights and sponsorship values, which have already exceeded $5 billion.

**Increase in Prize Money:**  

The expansion will also impact the prize money and the overall schedule.

Organisational Conflict:

The expansion has led to some friction among different franchise factions.

**Number of Matches:**  

With the increase from 6 to 8 teams, the number of matches will rise from 25 to at least 34 in a double round-robin format. Franchises are advocating for a total of 44 to 60 games to maximise gate revenue and TV value.

**New Tournament Window:**  

The PCB and franchises have agreed on a new time frame for the tournament, set for April-May. This change aims to reduce clashes with international cricket, thereby improving the availability of overseas players.

**Potential Clash:**  

However, the new April-May window may overlap with the Indian Premier League (IPL), potentially affecting the availability of some top foreign players.

**Draft System:**  

The PCB and franchises are discussing replacing the current Draft system with an auction, which could help assemble stronger squads for the new teams.

The PCB expects a substantial one-time windfall from the auction, as each new franchise could fetch between $7 million and $10 million.

Commercial Growth: More teams mean more matches, whose direct effects go on broadcast rights and sponsorship values, whose cross already exceeds 5 billion.

Increment in Prize Money: Impact on Schedule

Expansion has created a standoff/friction between the franchise factions.

Number of Matches: When the number of teams increases from 6 to 8, the number of matches also increases, reaching at least 34 in a double round-robin format.  Franchises demand between 44 and 60, which can increase gate revenue and TV value.

New Tournment Window: The PCB and franchises have agreed on the new April-May time frame (window).

Reason: The PCB made this change to reduce international cricket clashes and ensure the availability of better overseas players.

Clash: The new April-May window might overlap with the Indian Premier League (IPL), potentially affecting the availability of some top foreign players.

In the Draft System, the PCB and franchises are discussing an auction system to replace the Draft, which could yield better squads for new teams.

The Talent Pipeline

**More Opportunities:** With the addition of two new teams, there will be space on the roster for 40 to 50 new domestic players. This expansion helps the league showcase talents that previously lacked opportunities.

**Ready-Made Stars:** The PSL has prepared players such as Shahnawaz Dahani, Muhammad Haris, and Saim Ayub for international cricket. More teams mean a stronger bench for the Pakistan National Team.

Financial Stability & Investment

PCB Income: The PCB expects its revenue to increase significantly from the sale of new franchises and enhanced sponsorship deals.

**Grassroots Investment:** This increased income enables the PCB to invest more in domestic structures, academies, and grassroots cricket, ultimately strengthening the sport in the country.

Stadiums and New Venues

**Cricket in New Cities:** The expansion of the PSL underscores the need to improve and expand cricket infrastructure nationwide.

**International Exposure:** New domestic players will have the chance to share the dressing room and play alongside top international players from the start, thereby enhancing their skills and professionalism.

According to the 21 November 2025 announcement, the PCB has listed the pool of potential city and team names for the two new HBL PSL franchises below.

• Faisalabad
• Rawalpindi
• Hyderabad
• Sialkot
• Muzaffarabad
• Gilgit

Key Date and Objective

Auction Date: The auction for two new teams will be on 6 January 2026.

The PCB’s objective is to expand the league by adding two new teams, thereby gaining greater nationwide coverage and creating new commercial, sporting, and fan-engagement opportunities.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selected cities for the two new PSL franchises based on four key factors. Rawalpindi and Faisalabad were chosen for their strong cricket infrastructure, including international stadiums, and their large urban populations, which ensure high viewership and ticket sales. Sialkot was included because of its industrial strength and notable history in domestic cricket. Additionally, Hyderabad was selected to facilitate regional expansion in Sindh, following Karachi. The primary goal of including Gilgit and Muzaffarabad is to extend the league’s reach to Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) and the Northern Areas. This aims to achieve nationwide representation, provide opportunities for emerging regional talent, and enhance the PSL’s overall commercial and cricketing strength.

**Commercial Impact:**

The addition of two new teams to the league will enhance commercial value in three key ways:

• **Increase in Revenue:** The PCB will benefit from a significant one-time capital gain through the introduction of the two new franchises.
• **Market Expansions:** With the addition of the cities of Gilgit, Muzaffarabad, and Hyderabad, the PSL will expand into new regional markets. This expansion is expected to boost brand sponsorship and increase merchandise sales.
• **Global Investment:** An expanded league will attract greater interest from international investors, leading to improved overall brand valuations for the PSL.

The global market potential for expanding the two new teams is increasing, creating opportunities for new investments. PCB has connected with international investors and partners through roadshows in London and the USA. The primary objective of this expansion is to establish a strong global brand identity for the PSL, enhance commercial valuations, and form partnerships in North America and the UK. The implementation of 10-year contracts for existing franchises, along with a market-based valuation, suggests a more sustainable and globally competitive financial model.

• **Expansion to Eight Teams:** For PSL 11 (2026), the league will expand from six to eight franchises. This marks the league’s most significant expansion in history and will immediately increase the available commercial inventory.
• **Valuation of New Franchises:** The new teams are expected to command high prices, with estimated values ranging from US$7 million to US$10 million. This reflects the league’s increasing valuation.
• **Renewal of Title Sponsorship:** Habib Bank Limited (HBL) has renewed its exclusive title sponsorship for 2027. This renewal demonstrates confidence in the league; indeed, sponsorship rights are now valued at $505% more than in PSL 1 (2016).
• **Broader National Footprint:** With the expansion into new cities, the PSL’s geographic reach will broaden. Furthermore, matches are being considered for new venues, such as Peshawar and, potentially, Faisalabad, along with initiatives like trophy tours and fan parks to enhance nationwide fan engagement. This increased visibility will strengthen the league’s brand.
• Furthermore, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is boosting financial incentives for franchises, including an increase in runner-up prize money and the introduction of $\$200,000$ rewards for the “Best Franchise Contributing Towards Cricket Development. These rewards are designed to promote greater investment and professionalism within the league.

These expansions and strengthened relationships with sponsors position the PSL for a successful commercial trajectory.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and government initiatives promote regional talent and strengthen domestic cricket.

**Regional and Grassroots Development:**

The PCB has launched nationwide talent-hunt programs aimed at young age groups, such as U13 and U16. Basic activities for school and club cricket are being reinstated. Plans include establishing 16 academies across 108 districts and investing in infrastructure.

The PCB is organising provincial leagues to provide aspiring cricketers with professional and competitive experience.

**Strengthening the Domestic Structure:**

The number of domestic contracts and their values have increased, creating incentives for better performers.

The addition of two new teams to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will spark exciting rivalries and generate significant interest in upcoming seasons. These new city-based teams will enhance regional pride among fans, naturally leading to the development of fresh rivalries. Supporters will be eager to watch their favourite teams compete against the top teams in the PSL, transforming the latest local stadiums into the new battlegrounds for T20 cricket.

Regional pride and the unwavering loyalty of fans are crucial factors in the success of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Each franchise is deeply connected to its identity.

**Key Points:**

– **Basic Identity:** From the beginning, the PCB designed franchises to represent provincial and federal capitals, thereby allowing them to build organic fan bases right away.

– **Distinct Branding:** Franchises utilise memorable anthems to enhance and strengthen their brand, merchandise, and social media campaigns. A notable example is the “Yellow Storm.”

Fans’ loyalty remains steadfast regardless of team performance. To illustrate this point, fans of Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars remain deeply loyal despite inconsistent results.

– **Community Engagement:** Teams foster pride among spectators and strengthen community relations through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

**More Matches:** As the number of teams increases, the tournament will be extended, leading to more matches and additional broadcast hours.

**Inclusion of New Fans:** The addition of two new teams from different regions will help reach local fans, thereby increasing overall viewership.

**Global Appeal:** With the league’s commercial value rising, there will be greater interest from international broadcasters and fans.

**Digital Growth:** The increasing popularity of mobile streaming will enhance total engagement hours.

The PCB will hold the auction for two (2) new PSL franchises on January 6, 2026. The PCB will conduct it in a live, transparent, open-bidding format, which is a traditional method for awarding franchises. Bids will continue to increase until the PCB accepts the highest offers.

**Key Aspects of the Live Bidding Format:**

• **Live Event:** The auction will take place at a convention centre, with live streaming to ensure transparency.
• **Qualified Bidders Only:** Participation in the auction is limited to those who meet specific technical and financial criteria. This pre-qualification is essential.
• **Ascending Bidding:** Participants will engage in open competition, continuously increasing their bids. The franchise will be sold to the highest bidder.
• **City Selection:** The successful bidder will have the option to choose from one of six cities.
• **Franchise Rights:** New agreements will be based on the commercial assets and market valuation established by the PCB. It is expected that the new deal will cover 10 years.

In the PSL, after the player auction, franchises begin their preparations for the tournament. This process involves several critical stages to ensure that the teams are fully ready by the start of the competition. Immediately following the auction, each franchise works to finalise its squad while simultaneously considering the roster limit of 18-20 players and the salary cap.

Key Stages:

• Specifically, the PCB finalises players’ salaries based on the amounts bid during the auction. Foreign players can choose to receive their payments in their preferred currency.
• **Trading Window**: Following the draft, a new trading window opens, allowing franchises to trade players.
• Teams can add players who go unsold during the auction as replacement players for those who become injured or unavailable for any reason
• **Pre-season Activities**: All teams then begin their tournament preparations, which include training camps, fitness tests, and practice matches.

The auction for two new teams is scheduled for January 6, 2026. This marks a significant step in the PCB’s expansion of the PSL, increasing the total number of teams to 8.

The primary goal of adding two teams to the PSL in 2026 is to enhance the league’s commercial value and revenue. This expansion will naturally extend the PSL’s geographical reach, allowing more fans from different cities to engage with the league and its sponsors.

The shortlisted cities for the new PSL teams are Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, Faisalabad, Gilgit, and Rawalpindi. Bidders can select their preferred teams from this list.

Only teams that meet the specific technical and financial criteria set by the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) can participate as franchises.

The new franchise will create opportunities for 30 to 40 domestic players in the Pakistan Super League, thereby enhancing the talent pool and competition. This expansion will automatically increase the league’s commercial value and its geographic fan reach.

Central Pool Revenue Sharing drives the revenue model for the new PSL, encompassing broadcasting, sponsorships, local sponsorships, and merchandise sales.

The PCB assesses cricket infrastructure, stadium availability, and their commercial viability to shortlist franchises.

PCB is targeting international investors to encourage their participation.

The auction for PSL franchises will take place at the Islamabad Convention Centre.

With the addition of two new teams, the total number of matches will increase, extending the tournament’s duration.