KEY POINTS
- PSL 2026 expands to eight teams under a new two-phase format over 39 days.
- Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium added as a fifth host city for the first time.
- The PCB aims to prepare Muzaffarabad Stadium for future PSL and international matches.
- Stadium upgrades approved for Karachi and Lahore as part of nationwide venue development.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled a major revamp for the Pakistan Super League (PSL), announcing a new two-phase structure and a significant geographical expansion for its 11th edition, scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3, 2026.
The tournament, which will see its first expansion since 2018, will grow from six to eight teams, yet will be condensed into a tight 39-day window. To accommodate the new format, PSL 11 will be split into two distinct phases, ensuring each franchise plays a minimum of 10 matches.
New Two-Phase Tournament Structure
Under the approved format, the initial phase will be a single-league round-robin, where each of the eight sides plays every other team once. This stage guarantees seven matches per team and sets the stage for the crucial second phase.
The competition will then transition into a Super Four-style stage. The eight teams will be split into two groups of four, with each side playing three matches within their group. This phase will produce 12 high-stakes matches to determine the playoff contenders.
The top two teams from each group will advance to a four-match playoff series, culminating in the final to crown the PSL 2026 champion.
Historic Expansion to Faisalabad
In a landmark move for domestic cricket, the PSL will expand its footprint to a fifth city. Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad will host matches for the first time, joining the established venues of Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan. This inclusion marks a significant step in decentralizing the league and engaging fans from a key cricketing region.
The expansion to eight teams represents the next evolution for the league, which began with five franchises in 2016. The revised structure is designed to maintain the tournament’s competitive intensity and fan engagement while managing the logistical challenges of a larger, condensed event. With a new format and a new host city, PSL 2026 is poised to be a landmark edition for Pakistan’s premier T20 competition.
PCB Board Approves Stadium Upgrades, Eyes PSL in Muzaffarabad
Separately, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) 81st Board of Governors (BoG) meeting on Tuesday greenlit significant stadium development projects, with Chairman Mohsin Naqvi outlining ambitious plans to host Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches at new venues.
Presiding via video link, Naqvi confirmed the approval for the second phase of upgrades at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium and plans to model the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) Stadium after London’s Oval. The board’s most notable ambition is to prepare the Muzaffarabad Stadium to host PSL 11 and international fixtures.
“Efforts are being made to host PSL 11 matches at Muzaffarabad Stadium,” Naqvi stated, also vowing to build a state-of-the-art stadium in Islamabad.
The BoG passed a resolution acknowledging Naqvi’s role in ensuring Sri Lanka’s upcoming white-ball tour proceeds, though he credited the success to a “team effort.” Updates were also received on the recent PSL Roadshows and future ICC tournaments.
