PCB Officially Opens Bidding for Two New PSL Franchises

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has officially taken a major step toward its long-awaited expansion, with the Pakistan Cricket Board formally inviting bids for the seventh and eighth franchises of the tournament — marking the beginning of a new era for the country’s premier T20 league.

In an official notice, the PCB confirmed that franchise rights for the two new teams are now up for grabs. Interested parties have been asked to submit technical proposals by December 15, 2025, with bids set to be opened the same day at 11:30 a.m. Only those meeting the PCB’s technical requirements will move forward in the process.

The announcement finally brings clarity to months of speculation surrounding PSL expansion. The league, which has operated with six teams since 2018, will now see its biggest expansion yet, moving to an eight-team model — an upgrade long envisioned by the PCB and eagerly awaited by fans.

This development comes at a time when franchise valuations and commercial interest in the PSL are at an all-time high.

The addition of two new teams is expected to significantly reshape the league’s competitive landscape, scheduling model, and commercial dynamics. With multiple regions pushing for representation and investors showing strong interest, the bidding war is likely to be intense.

The PSL has already named six shortlisted cities that will be up for bidding, with the two franchises to come from either Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, Faisalabad, Gilgit, or Rawalpindi. While the PCB has not disclosed which cities are being prioritized, the move sets the stage for another significant chapter in PSL history — one that could redefine the league’s footprint ahead of its next decade.

For now, the race begins. By mid-December, the PSL’s long-anticipated expansion will finally take concrete shape, ushering in a fresh, more ambitious era for Pakistan’s most-watched cricket league.

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