PSL franchise values soar as league prepares for global expansion and new teams
Special Correspondent
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has entered a major growth phase, with all six existing franchises witnessing a sharp rise in their market valuations, nearly tripling compared to their original prices. According to insiders familiar with the financial restructuring, the upward revision reflects the league’s steadily increasing commercial strength, global visibility, and investor confidence.
Franchise Valuations Triple Since Launch
When the PSL made its debut in 2016, Quetta Gladiators held the lowest valuation at USD 1.1 million per year on a 10-year contract, during a period when the dollar traded at Rs105. Despite the significant jump in exchange rates over the years, Quetta Gladiators once again sit at the bottom of the valuation table, now priced at around Rs360 million per year.
Other teams have also received substantial boosts:
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Peshawar Zalmi, champions of 2017, now carry a valuation of Rs480 million per year, compared to their earlier price of USD 1.6 million.
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Karachi Kings, winners of the 2020 season, have been revised to Rs650 million annually, a major jump from their original USD 2.6 million valuation.
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Lahore Qalandars, the only side to win three titles (2022, 2023, 2025), have been priced at Rs670 million per year, slightly outpacing Karachi.
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Multan Sultans, initially the most expensive team at USD 6.3 million, now top the valuation chart with Rs1.08 billion per year.
Despite the considerable financial escalation, the player budget remains unchanged at USD 1.4 million per team, a decision sources say is intended to maintain competitive balance.
PCB Sets Base Price of Rs1.30 Billion for New Teams
As the league expands to eight teams starting PSL 11 next year, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has fixed a base price of Rs1.30 billion per year for each of the two new franchises. This marks the first major overhaul since 2017 and shifts all league-related financial dealings into Pakistani rupees, moving away from the dollar-based structure used at launch.
The PCB has shortlisted six cities — Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Hyderabad, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit — with two final selections expected in January 2026 when the new franchises are awarded.
International Roadshows Gain Momentum
In a push to attract foreign investors, the PSL has launched a series of international roadshows. Following a successful event at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, the PCB is now gearing up for its second showcase in New York on December 13.
According to the PCB, the New York event will highlight the league’s commercial growth, international reach, and long-term investment potential. The roadshow is part of a broader strategy to introduce foreign capital into the league, particularly ahead of the auction for the new franchises.
Six national players will be present at the New York event:
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Salman Ali Agha (T20I captain)
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Shan Masood (Test captain)
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Abrar Ahmed
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Faheem Ashraf
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Saim Ayub
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Saud Shakeel
Their presence is expected to help promote the brand and create engagement with foreign investors and cricket followers.
PSL Continues Its Upward Trajectory
Launched with just five teams and now heading toward an eight-team structure, the PSL has become one of Pakistan’s strongest sports brands. The rising franchise valuations, expanding investor interest, and global marketing efforts signal a league preparing for its biggest commercial chapter yet.
With the announcement of the two new teams just weeks away, stakeholders expect the PSL’s overall financial and sporting landscape to undergo a major transformation heading into the next season.
