Asher Butt
The upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League will introduce a refreshed competitive structure as the tournament expands to eight teams. The 2026 edition, commonly referred to as PSL 11, will feature a two-group league format designed to increase competitiveness and fan engagement across multiple cities.
Two-group league format
Under the revised format, the eight franchises will be divided into Group A and Group B for the league stage.
Group A
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Lahore Qalandars
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Karachi Kings
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Quetta Gladiators
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Hyderabad Kingsmen
Group B
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Islamabad United
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Multan Sultans
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Peshawar Zalmi
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Rawalpindi Pindiz
Each team will play 10 league matches. They will face the other three teams in their own group twice — once at home and once away — while playing the four teams from the opposite group once each. This structure ensures both group rivalries and cross-group competition while maintaining a balanced schedule.
Venues and match distribution
The tournament will be played across several venues in Pakistan, highlighting the league’s growing geographic footprint.
Gaddafi Stadium will host the opening match on 26 March, featuring Lahore Qalandars against Hyderabad Kingsmen. The Lahore venue will stage 15 matches in total, including three double-headers and the much-anticipated Lahore–Karachi rivalry on 29 March.
For the first time, Arbab Niaz Stadium — commonly referred to as Imran Khan Cricket Stadium — will host a PSL match when Peshawar Zalmi meet Rawalpindi Pindiz on 28 March.
Another significant addition is Iqbal Stadium, which will stage seven matches, beginning with Lahore Qalandars versus Islamabad United on 9 April.
Multan Cricket Stadium will hold four evening matches, all involving Multan Sultans, starting with their encounter against Hyderabad on 1 April.
Meanwhile, National Bank Stadium will host six matches beginning 8 April, including the Hyderabad–Karachi clash on 11 April.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will stage 11 matches, including a Qualifier and two double-headers on 2 April and 26 April. Islamabad United will play six games there, while Pindiz will feature in five home fixtures.
Road to the final
After the league stage concludes, the top four teams on the points table will advance to the playoffs. The knockout phase will run from 28 April to 3 May, featuring:
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Qualifier 1
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Eliminator 1
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Qualifier 2
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The Final
The PSL 11 Final is scheduled for 3 May at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with a reserve day on 4 May in case of weather disruptions.
A bigger PSL season ahead
With the introduction of new franchises, additional venues and a revised format, PSL 11 is expected to deliver one of the most competitive seasons in the league’s history. The expansion not only increases the number of matches but also widens the tournament’s reach, bringing top-tier franchise cricket to more cities and fans across Pakistan.
