PSL 11 2026 Players Auction: Date, Time, Categories and How to Watch
The PSL 11 players auction is on 11 February 2026. Teams will fill squads from Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, Emerging and Supplementary categories.
The PSL 11 players auction takes place on 11 February 2026. For the first time, the Pakistan Cricket Board has replaced the draft system with an auction for building squads. All eight franchises will take part and can pick players from six categories. The auction starts at 11:30 AM PST (06:30 AM GMT) and will be shown live on TV and online. You can watch on A Sports HD, Fast Sports, PTV National and the official PSL and PCB YouTube channel.
Each team must build a squad of 16 to 18 players. The categories are Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, Emerging and Supplementary. Platinum and Diamond have three players each, Gold has three, Silver has five, Emerging has two and Supplementary has two optional picks. The auction gives teams more freedom to chase the players they want instead of following a fixed draft order. The two new teams, Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindi Pindiz, will build their full squads from scratch at this auction.
The change from draft to auction brings PSL in line with other major T20 leagues around the world. It creates one big event that fans can follow as squads take shape. Franchises can bid for specific players and decide how much to spend in each category. The season then starts on 26 March 2026 with 44 matches across six venues. The final is on 3 May 2026 and the fixtures and schedule are available on the official site.
Auction date, time and broadcast
When and where to watch
The PSL 11 auction is on 11 February 2026. Start time is 11:30 AM PST (06:30 AM GMT). Live broadcast is on A Sports HD, Fast Sports and PTV National. The official PSL and PCB YouTube channel will also stream the auction. Viewers in Pakistan and abroad can follow the full event online.
How long it runs
The auction is expected to run for several hours as all eight teams fill their squads. The order of players and categories will be set by the PCB before the day. Franchises will have a set budget and must stay within it as they bid.
Player categories and squad size
The six categories
Players are grouped into six categories. Each franchise builds a squad of 16 to 18 players. The breakdown is: Platinum 3, Diamond 3, Gold 3, Silver 5, Emerging 2, Supplementary 2 (optional). Platinum and Diamond players usually attract the highest bids. Silver and Emerging are where teams often find value and future stars.
New teams
The two new teams will have the same budget and rules as the existing six franchises. They must fill their squads within the same category limits. By the end of the day every team will have a squad for the 44-match season.
Bidding process and rules
How bidding works
The auction will be run by an auctioneer and the PCB will oversee the process. Each player will be called up in turn and franchises will bid until one team wins the player. The winning team then adds that player to their squad and the next player is called. This continues until all teams have filled their squads within the category rules.
Limits and base prices
Teams cannot skip a category and must fill their squad within the limits. The auction order and base prices for each player are set by the PCB. Franchises are free to bid above the minimum when they want a player badly.
Why the move to auction
From draft to auction
The draft had been used since the first PSL in 2016. Teams took turns to pick players in a set order. The board and franchises wanted more flexibility and a single high-profile event for squad building. An auction lets teams target specific players and manage their budget across categories. It also makes the build-up to the season more exciting for fans who can follow the bidding live.
Aligning with other leagues
Other major T20 leagues like the IPL use an auction system. The PCB has aligned PSL with that model for PSL 11 and beyond. The change was announced well in advance so teams and players could prepare.
What happens on the day
Platinum round and new teams
The Platinum round often has the most bidding as the biggest names come up first. The two new teams will be watched closely as they build their squads from zero. Defending champions Lahore Qalandars and other established sides will aim to keep a strong core and add new signings. By the end of the day every team will have a squad for the 44-match season.
By the end of the day
Fans can follow the bidding live on TV or online. The PCB will share updates on how each team is shaping up. The first match of PSL 11 is on 26 March 2026 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Key dates after the auction
Opening ceremony and first match
Once the auction is done, teams will have roughly six weeks before the first match. The opening ceremony is on 26 March 2026 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The first match is Lahore Qalandars vs Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Full season
The season runs until the final on 3 May 2026. For the full fixtures, schedule and teams, use our PSL 2026 coverage.