PSL to Expand from Six to Eight Teams After 2025 Season
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set to undergo major expansion as it plans to increase the number of teams from six to eight after the 2025 season, confirmed PSL CEO Salman Naseer on Thursday.
Launched in 2016 in the UAE due to security concerns, the PSL has since become one of the biggest T20 leagues, with all matches now held in Pakistan. The move to expand beyond its current cities aligns with the league’s commercial growth strategy and increasing competitiveness.
Key Highlights of PSL’s Expansion Plan
✅ New Teams by 2026 – The PSL aims to finalize two additional franchises by the end of 2025.
✅ New Cities in PSL 2026 – Peshawar will host its first exhibition match, with hopes of securing full PSL matches in the future.
✅ Nationwide Trophy Tour – The PSL trophy will embark on a nationwide tour, bringing the league closer to fans in non-host cities.
✅ New Media and Sponsorship Deals – With media and sponsorship rights up for valuation, PSL’s expansion aims to increase its market value and global appeal.
✅ Competition with Global Leagues – PSL’s traditional January-February window now clashes with SA20 (South Africa) and ILT20 (UAE), making expansion crucial to maintaining its commercial and audience engagement.
Future of PSL
“The challenge was to bring cricket back to Pakistan, and now that we’ve successfully done that, the next step is expanding beyond the traditional four cities (Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Multan),” said Naseer.
The 2025 PSL season kicks off on April 11, and defending champions Islamabad United will be looking to extend their record three title wins.
