The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finalised the schedule and format for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). They confirmed that the tournament will run from March 26 to May 3, 2026, and that the league will expand to eight teams for the first time.
Despite the expansion, the PCB has structured PSL 11 to fit within a 39-day window. This ensures competitive balance while maintaining the league’s established rhythm.
Under the approved format, the tournament will be played in two distinct phases. In the opening phase, all eight teams will compete in a single-round league. Each team will face every other team once. This stage will feature a full round-robin tournament before the league advances to the next phase.
The second phase will follow a Super Four format, with the eight teams split into two groups of four. Each team will play three matches in this round, producing a total of 12 matches during the phase.
Read: PCB Announces PSL 11 Schedule and New Franchise Auction Dates
At the conclusion of the Super Four stage, the top two teams will progress to the playoffs. The tournament will feature four playoff matches, including the final, to crown the PSL 2026 champions.
Importantly, the PCB has ensured that each team will play at least 10 matches. This maintains consistency with previous editions despite the increase in participating franchises.
Matches will be hosted across Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan. Meanwhile, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, will make its PSL debut as an official host venue. This further expands the league’s geographical footprint.
The PSL began in 2016 with five teams and expanded to six franchises in 2018. The addition of two new teams in the 11th edition reflects the league’s continued commercial growth. It also indicates rising global interest and a long-term development strategy.
