Background
After the conclusion of the tenth season in 2025, the initial ten-year franchise agreements for the six original teams expired. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) engaged Ernst & Young to conduct a valuation of the league's assets to set new terms for the next decade (2026–2035). [1]
In November 2025, five of the existing six franchises successfully renewed their contracts under the new financial model except Multan Sultans. [2] As part of the PCB's plan to expand the league from six to eight teams, an auction for two new franchises was held on 8 January 2026. Six cities were shortlisted for consideration: Faisalabad, Gilgit, Hyderabad, Muzaffarabad, Rawalpindi and Sialkot. Following the auction, Hyderabad Kingsmen and Sialkot were selected as the seventh and eighth teams, with ownership rights acquired by FKS Group and OZ Developers respectively. [3]
Then Multan Sultans franchise owner Ali Tareen announced that he would not renew his agreement with the PCB, citing financial losses and disagreements regarding the league's management. [4] Thus, PCB decided to resale the franchise through an auction on 9 February 2026, [5] where Walee Technologies acquired it and decided to relocate the identity to Rawalpindiz. Later, Sialkot owners sold the franchise to CD Ventures who rebranded and to brought back Multan Sultans. [6] [7]
Broadcast rights
The PCB sold the international broadcasting rights under a one-year agreement, recording a 149 percent increase in value compared to the previous rights cycle, although official financial figures were not disclosed. They decided to withhold broadcast rights for India. [8] Local broadcasting rights were sold to Walee Technologies, who are also the owners of the Rawalpindiz franchise, for Rs. 2,611 crore for the 2026–2029 period. [9]
Trophy
The 2026 edition of the Pakistan Super League will feature a new trophy design. [10] The trophy is named "Infinity" and was revealed in ceremony held at National Stadium, Karachi. It is handcrafted by 18 artisans who completed it in 2,600 hours. [11] It features a crescent and a star at the top, The crescent is embedded with 1600 small crystals, There are eight emerald-cut gemstones at the base of the trophy representing the eight PSL franchises. [12]
Prize money
The champions will receive US$500,000, while the runner-up team will receive US$300,000. Moreover, a US$200,000 reward will be awarded to the "best franchise contributing towards cricket development". [13]
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