PSL franchise owners keen to retain rights amid future base price curiosity
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The image shows cutout standees of franchises of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). — X@PCB/Files
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ISLAMABAD: Since the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is preparing to enter a new decade, the question of $ billion dollars on the cricketing horizon is, what will be the new basic price of its eight franchises, which is designed to compete in the eleventh edition of the Landmark in 2026?
After completing its first ten -year terms, the current six franchises are looking for an important auction round that can renounce the trade route of Pakistan’s most successful sports project. The next ten -year -old auction is expected to be within the next few months, and at the same time, the stake is more than ever.
Sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have told The News that all six existing franchise owners have formally revealed their strong interest in maintaining ownership for the next decade. However, despite the demonstration of commitment, nothing has been finalized yet-the possibilities left the room for new contenders to leave the room.
When contacted in a recent PID program, ATIF Rana, CEO of Lahore Qalandars, was asked directly whether his franchise was given any assurance of renewal. Interestingly, Rana chose to tasting this question – further speculations made that the playground could still be open. However, behind the scenes, a good PCB official reiterated: “At this time, we can confirm that all the current franchise owners have expressed their consent to maintain rights for the next ten years.”
It is expected that further explanation will be made by the end of June or early July, when the PCB has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap for the next chapter of the PSL, which includes timelines for potentially franchise bidding, team expansion, and structural reforms in 2026.
The edition of 2026 is expected to be historic – not only to mark a new cycle, but also to extend the league to eight teams. Faisalabad is currently at the forefront of the seventh franchise, while Abbottabad, Sialkot, and Hyderabad are also in a dispute to complete the lineup.
A third party diagnostic firm has already been set up to assess the market value of both the current and new franchises. Initial estimates show that the franchise base prices could increase at least 600 % over their original purchase values a decade ago.
Multan Sultan, after joining the PSL mid stream, can follow a slightly different diagnosis curve. But the real conspiracy is in the dynamics of the bid. Will newcomers exceed the basic prices set for existing franchises will be allowed to bid the table aggressively? For example, if the basic price of Lahore Qalandars is at a price of Rs 2 billion, can the external bidding stake up to Rs 2.5 billion or more?
According to insiders, the main purpose of the PCB is to maximize profit – that is, auction can be opened for competitive bids, in which existing owners have already been denied. Sources close to the matter said, “If there are high offerings from the new parties, there is no reason to direct them. The current franchise owners will be given the first right to deny, but if they are not similar to this offer, the opportunity may be with the most bidder.”
Along with more cities that are likely to skyrocketing franchise values and roaming for space in Pakistan’s cricketing elite, PSL 2026 can launch a new era of commercial and competitive expansion, which may not only renew not only local cricket economics, but also put the PSL on the global T20I. The world of cricketing has waited for the crooked world as Pakistan’s Marki League has yet prepared for its most changing chapter.
