LAHORE: The HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Thursday began auctioning two new franchises in Islamabad, marking a major expansion of the country’s flagship T20 competition ahead of its 11th season in 2026. The auctions, taking place at the Jinnah Convention Centre, features 10 technically qualified bidders competing for ownership of the new teams. The event opened at 4:15pm and is being streamed on PCB and PSL digital platforms amid strong domestic and international interest.
Read More: PSL announces January 2026 franchise auction
The expansion will see the PSL grow from six to eight sides for the first time, with the new franchises set to debut in the 2026 season scheduled for 26 March to 3 May — a window intended to place the tournament more securely within the global T20 calendar.
Preparation meets opportunity.
Auction mode: ON.#PSLTeamAuction #PSLNewEra pic.twitter.com/gGgVhpvWJu— Walee (@WaleePakistan) January 8, 2026
According to the Pakistan Cricket Board, bidding interest spans a diverse range of sectors including telecommunications, real estate, technology, agrobusiness and sugar mills, reflecting the league’s increasing commercial profile and broadening investor base.
Six cities — Faisalabad, Gilgit, Hyderabad, Muzaffarabad, Rawalpindi and Sialkot — have been shortlisted for franchise allocation, with two to be selected for entry into the competition.
Since its launch in 2016, the PSL has produced six champions. Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars lead the tally with three titles apiece, while Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators have each lifted the trophy once.
The PCB said interest in the auction accelerated following promotional roadshows in London and New York in December 2025, after which 12 companies submitted bids, with 10 progressing. Confirmed bidders include Aim Next Inc, Deharki Sugar Mills, FKS, Inverex, i2c, Jazz, OZ Developers, Prism Developers, VGO TEL and Walee Technologies.
Read More: Third bidder qualifies as PCB advances PSL expansion process
Ahead of the auction, the PCB honoured the Pakistan Shaheens squad for their Men’s Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025 victory in Doha, and the Hong Kong Super Sixes champions. The ceremony is scheduled to conclude with a performance by singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.