The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will expand from six to eight teams starting with its 11th edition in 2026. This expansion marks a major restructuring for the league since the addition of Multan Sultans in 2018. The PCB has received an "exceptional and encouraging" response to its tender for the sale of the two new franchises, with 12 parties submitting bids.

The bidders hail from five countries: the United States, Australia, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan, highlighting the PSL's growing global footprint and commercial appeal. The PCB's announcement follows promotional roadshows in London and New York aimed at attracting international investors.

The auction for the two new franchises is scheduled for January 8, 2026, at the Islamabad Convention Centre. Only technically qualified bidders will be invited to participate in the auction. The results of the initial phase of the bidding process will be announced on December 27, 2025.

A pool of six cities has been shortlisted as potential home venues for the new franchises: Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit. The successful bidders will have the right to select their preferred city/team name from this list.

The expansion of the PSL is part of a broader plan to increase the tournament's commercial value. The PCB and the existing franchises have also agreed to shift the competition window to April-May from 2026 onwards. This shift aims to improve player availability and reduce clashes with other international T20 leagues such as the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 11th edition of the PSL is scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3, 2026.

The PCB has also opened registration for foreign players for the upcoming season, with a deadline of January 20, 2026. The board has encouraged global participation, stating that the expansion creates "significantly more roster spots and earning opportunities for international players".

The original ten-year franchise agreements for the six original teams expired after the 2025 season. Five of the existing franchises – Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators – have renewed their contracts under the new financial model. The status of Multan Sultans remains unresolved.

The PCB has stated its commitment to completing the bidding process transparently and competitively. The board believes that the addition of new stakeholders will further elevate the league's impact on Pakistan cricket.