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“PSL Expands to 8 Teams: Auction for 2 New Franchises on Jan 8, 2026”
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is expanding to eight teams in 2026, with two new franchises set to join the league. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the auction for these new teams will take place on January 8, 2026, in Islamabad. The reserve price for each team is set at PKR 1.3 billion (approximately $4.6 million).

Shortlisted Bidders

The PCB has shortlisted 10 bidders from 12 interested parties, including investors from the United States, Australia, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan. Some notable bidders include the former owner of Multan Sultans, Ali Tareen, and other prominent business groups.

Potential Cities

The new teams are expected to be based in cities such as Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Gilgit, Muzaffarabad, and Sialkot. The PCB aims to expand the league’s reach and popularity across Pakistan.
For the two new teams, 12 bidders had submitted their bids, out of which 10 bidders have been shortlisted. Some of these include well-known companies, such as Inverex Power Solution, which is a long-time sponsor of PSL.
Expansion Plans

The PSL’s expansion is part of the PCB’s efforts to boost the league’s commercial appeal and competitiveness. The new teams will increase the total number of matches and venues, providing more opportunities for fans to engage with the sport.
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Lahore, 27 December 2025: The PCB Bid Committee has successfully completed the Technical Evaluation of proposal submitted by bidders for the sale of two new HBL PSL franchise teams.

A total of 12 proposals were received from interested parties within the stipulated deadline from across the globe and were scrutinised by the PCB Bid Committee over the last three days. Following a thorough and transparent evaluation process, the PCB Bid Committee has qualified 10 Bidders who have successfully met the technical criteria and now enter the second stage.

These 10 technically qualified bidders will now proceed to participate in the Auction scheduled on Thursday, 8 January, 2026 at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad, where the franchise rights for the two new HBL PSL teams will be up for grabs.

At the auction, the successful bidders will have the right to choose their franchise team names from amongst the following: Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Gilgit, Muzaffarabad and Sialkot.

HBL PSL CEO Salman Naseer:

“The HBL PSL extends its congratulations to all qualified bidders and appreciates the strong interest shown by both local and international investors. For those interested parties who could not submit proposals in time, we thank them for their keen interest and look forward to exploring other opportunities.

“The league looks forward to achieving another significant milestone in the expansion and evolution of the HBL PSL as we now prepare for the eagerly awaited auction.”

Further details regarding the Auction will be shared in due course.