PSL 11 Schedule 2026: 8 Teams, New Format, and Latest News Updates
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is entering a transformative era with its 11th edition, PSL 11 Schedule 2026. A significant expansion in teams and a complete overhaul of the tournament format make this season the biggest in the league’s history.
PSL 11 Schedule 2026 & Start Date
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially confirmed that PSL 11 will begin on March 26, 2026, and conclude with the grand final on May 3, 2026.
The shift to a March–May window is a strategic move to accommodate the busy international cricket calendar, including the ICC Champions Trophy which Pakistan hosted earlier in 2025. This new timing means PSL 11 will overlap with the Indian Premier League (IPL), setting the stage for a massive month of T20 cricket globally.
PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi announced the official window for the 11th edition of the #HBLPSL
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) December 15, 2025
The HBL PSL 11 is scheduled to take place from 26 March to 3 May, 2026
Read more: https://t.co/TDhItXzvaV pic.twitter.com/ASCDWeg0IK
Tournament Expansion: Total Teams
For the first time since 2018, the league is growing. PSL 11 will feature 8 teams, up from the traditional six.
The Existing Franchises
Five of the original franchises have already renewed their contracts for the next decade:
- Islamabad United
- Karachi Kings
- Lahore Qalandars
- Peshawar Zalmi
- Quetta Gladiators
The Two New Teams
The auction for the two new franchises is scheduled for January 8, 2026. The PCB has shortlisted several cities as potential homes for these new teams, including:
- Faisalabad
- Sialkot
- Hyderabad
- Muzaffarabad
- Gilgit
New Format and Total Matches
With the addition of two teams, the PCB has introduced a two-phase format to ensure the tournament remains competitive within a 39-day window.
| Phase | Description |
| Phase 1: Single League | All 8 teams play each other once. |
| Phase 2: Super Four | Teams are split into two groups of four. Each team plays 3 more matches within their group. |
| Playoffs | The top two teams from the Super Four stage qualify for the traditional playoffs and final. |
The league will host a total of 44 matches. Despite the larger pool of teams, the new format guarantees each side at least 10 matches, maintaining the same level of exposure for players as in previous seasons.
Player Updates and Draft News
Contrary to rumors of an IPL-style auction, the PCB has decided to stick with the Player Draft system for PSL 11.
- Foreign Player Registration: The window is currently open and will close on January 20, 2026.
- Retention Policy: There is an ongoing debate between the PCB and franchises. The PCB has proposed allowing only 3 retentions per team to help the two new franchises build competitive squads, while existing teams are pushing for 5 retentions.
- Direct Signings: The board is considering a new rule that would allow teams to sign a limited number of “marquee players” directly outside the draft.
Latest News About PSL 11 Schedule 2026 & Venues
- Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium will officially host PSL matches for the first time in the league’s history.
- Venues: Matches will be held across Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, and Faisalabad. There are also efforts to prepare the Muzaffarabad Stadium for select fixtures.
- Prize Money: The winner’s prize remains at $500,000, but the runner-up prize has been increased to $300,000.
- Stadium Upgrades: Major renovations are underway at the National Bank Stadium (Karachi) and the LCCA Ground (Lahore) to provide a world-class experience for fans and players.
The Multan Sultans “Takeover” News
One of the most shocking updates for 2026 is the status of Multan Sultans. Following the expiration of the original 10-year franchise agreements, the rights for the Multan franchise reverted to the PCB. As of January 1, 2026, the PCB has officially taken over the team’s operations. They will manage the Sultans for this season before seeking a new buyer later in the year.
New Player Draft & Auction Rules
There is strong talk within the PCB about moving from a “Draft” system to a “Player Auction” system, similar to the IPL, to increase the league’s commercial value. While a final decision is pending, each franchise is expected to receive a special budget (approx. $100,000) for Direct Signings of top international stars.
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