The Pakistan Super League took a major step forward on Thursday by expanding from six to eight teams, with Hyderabad and Sialkot officially added as new franchises. The expansion marks the league’s second major growth phase and reflects the PCB’s ambition to widen the PSL’s reach and commercial strength ahead of its 11th season.
At a competitive auction held at Islamabad’s Jinnah Convention Centre, FKS secured the Hyderabad franchise for Rs1.75 billion, while OZ Developers won the Sialkot team with a bid of Rs1.85 billion. The event, which was live-streamed, drew strong interest, with all 10 pre-qualified bidders actively participating and submitting competitive offers.
The PCB had earlier confirmed that the PSL would expand to eight teams for its landmark 11th edition, scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3, 2026. The bidding process attracted a diverse group of investors, including companies from agribusiness, telecommunications, real estate, and technology, as well as a US-based software firm and several local and international tech companies.
Initially, 12 parties submitted bids following successful PSL roadshows in London and New York in December 2025. After a detailed technical evaluation, 10 bidders were cleared to take part in the final auction. The PCB said several cities were considered for expansion, including Faisalabad, Gilgit, Hyderabad, Muzaffarabad, Rawalpindi, and Sialkot, before the final selections were made.
Meanwhile, former Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen withdrew from the auction, saying his past involvement in the PSL was about representing south Punjab rather than simply owning a team. He said he would continue supporting the league and remain open to returning if the Multan franchise is offered again in the future.
