The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is fast moving towards a major makeover, and the response from investors has been bigger than anyone expected, even the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The Pakistan Super League’s plan to expand from six teams to eight teams has sparked huge interest among investors, with 12 groups officially submitting bids for two new franchises in the league.
Global investor crowd: 12 bids submitted for PSL expansion teams
The bidding deadline was extended to December 24, and that extra time made a big difference as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) received bids from all over the world.
Investors from the United States, Australia, Canada, UAE and Pakistan have shown keen interest in purchasing teams, highlighting the PSL’s growing stature as a blue-chip sports investment asset.
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Pakistan’s T20 franchise league is apparently attracting international capital looking to gain a foothold in South Asia’s huge cricket market.
And this strong response validates the PCB’s decision to structure the sale as a transparent, competitive process in line with global standards – a key factor for long-term sponsorship and broadcast evaluation.
PSL extension enters crucial phase as PCB prepares final bid
Well, Pakistan Board is handling this process in a clear and careful manner. The board will announce on December 27 which bidders have cleared the initial stage. Only those who meet the required technical standards will move forward.
The final and most important step will take place on January 8 at the Islamabad Convention Centre, where the owners of the two new teams will be decided through open bidding. Interestingly, the expansion of the PSL is not just about adding more teams, as the PCB wants to protect the image and trust of the league.
How these franchises are sold will impact future team values, TV rights and long-term sponsorship deals. That is why the Board is focused on keeping the process fair, open and professional.
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The eight-team format is now confirmed in the calendar. The next edition will be played from March 26 to May 3, 2026 and will be the league’s biggest season ever. With more teams, there will be more matches and more earning opportunities for foreign players looking to play in the PSL.
Which cities are in contention for the new franchise?
One of the most anticipated details for fans is the potential home for the new teams. The PCB has already shortlisted a pool of names from the city. Successful bidders will be allowed to select from this list and shape the future fan base of their teams.
The shortlist includes:
- faisalabad
- Rawalpindi
- Hyderabad
- Sialkot
- Muzaffarabad
- Gilgit
Financial implications and market confidence
The flood of bids is the clearest indication yet of the growing commercial value of the PSL. It is being said that this level of interest could push the franchise fee significantly higher than previous sales, leading to a substantial financial windfall for the PCB. This expansion mirrors the growth trajectory of other major T20 leagues such as the IPL and SA20.
