PSL History and Format: From 2016 to the Eleventh Edition
How the Pakistan Super League grew from five teams in 2016 to eight in 2026, and how the double round-robin and playoffs work. The full story behind PSL 11.
The Pakistan Super League was launched by the Pakistan Cricket Board in 2016. The idea was to give Pakistan its own franchise T20 league and to help bring international cricket back to the country. The first season was played in the UAE in February 2016 because international cricket in Pakistan was on hold at the time. The league has grown from five teams to eight and has moved from a draft to an auction for squad building. PSL 11 in 2026 will have 44 matches across six venues in Pakistan, with the final on 3 May 2026.
Twenty20 cricket took off after it was launched at international level in 2005. The Indian Premier League started in 2008 and showed that a franchise-based league could work at scale. The PCB announced the Pakistan Super League in 2015 and chose the UAE for the first two seasons. The official PSL logo was unveiled in Lahore in September 2015. In December 2015, commercial rights were sold to the first franchises for $93 million over ten years, and by 2017 the league's market value was estimated at around $300 million.
The first two seasons had five city-based teams: Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators. A sixth team, Multan Sultans, was added in 2018. For PSL 11, the league expands to eight teams with Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindi Pindiz joining. Each team plays every other team twice in the group stage, so each side plays 10 matches. The top four teams qualify for the playoffs: Qualifier, Eliminator 1, Eliminator 2 and the Final.
How PSL started
Announcement and first season
The PCB announced the Pakistan Super League in 2015 after years of planning. The first season was played in February 2016 in the UAE because international cricket had not fully returned to Pakistan. Five teams took part: Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators. Islamabad United won the first final. The league was sponsored by HBL from the start and that partnership continues today.
Bringing cricket home
The aim was always to bring cricket back to Pakistan. PSL has played a big role in that return. Over the years, more and more matches have been played at home. Today the full season is played in Pakistan across six venues. That is a sign of how much the league and the country have achieved since 2016.
History: from five teams to eight
Five to six to eight
The first two seasons had five teams. In 2018, a sixth team was added: Multan Sultans. For PSL 11 in 2026, two more teams join: Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindi Pindiz. That takes the total to eight franchises. Each team plays every other team twice in the group stage, so each side plays 10 group matches. The top four in the points table then go through to the playoffs.
Squad building changes
Squad building has also changed. From PSL 11 onwards, the draft is replaced by an auction. The first PSL 11 auction is on 11 February 2026. The auction gives franchises more freedom to chase the players they want. It also creates a single event that fans can follow as squads take shape.
Format: round-robin and playoffs
Group stage
PSL uses a double round-robin group stage. Each of the eight teams plays every other team twice. That means 10 group matches per team. The top four in the points table go through to the playoffs. The Qualifier is 1st vs 2nd and the winner goes straight to the final. Eliminator 1 is 3rd vs 4th and the loser is out. Eliminator 2 is between the Qualifier loser and the Eliminator 1 winner, and the winner reaches the final. The final is played between the Qualifier winner and the Eliminator 2 winner.
Playoffs and final
The format rewards consistency in the group stage. It also means the knockouts are high-pressure games where one loss can end your season. The 2026 season has 44 matches in total. The first match is on 26 March 2026 and the final is on 3 May 2026. You can follow the full fixtures and points table on the official site.
Past champions and title count
Most titles
Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars have won the title three times each. Lahore are the current champions after beating Quetta Gladiators in the PSL 10 final. Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans, Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi have also won the trophy. That makes PSL one of the most open major T20 leagues. No single team has dominated and that has kept the league exciting.
Open league
Lahore Qalandars will aim for a fourth title in PSL 11. Islamabad United will have the same goal. The two new teams will be looking to make a mark in their first season. With two new teams and an auction-built season, PSL 11 should add another strong chapter to the league's history.
Key dates and commercial growth
Early commercial success
The official PSL logo was unveiled in Lahore in September 2015. In December 2015, commercial rights were sold to the first franchises for $93 million over ten years. By 2017 the league's market value was estimated at around $300 million. Those numbers show how quickly PSL became a major property in world cricket. The board has built on that success with more teams, more matches and a full home season.
PSL 11 calendar
PSL 11 runs from 26 March to 3 May 2026. The auction is on 11 February 2026. The opening ceremony is at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 26 March. For the full fixtures, points table and teams, use our PSL 2026 guide.