Financial model finalized for new PSL teams

Interest in the new PSL teams has reached a peak. Business personalities from Pakistan, the UK, the USA, and other countries are eager to own a franchise.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will decide on the two new team owners in an auction scheduled for January 8, 2026.
A financial model for the new franchises has been finalized. Like existing teams, the new franchises will receive up to 95% of the revenue from the central income pool. The PCB has guaranteed each of the seventh and eighth teams a minimum of PKR 850 million over the next five editions (from PSL 11 onward). This is termed as a “Minimum Central Pool Income Guarantee.”
According to details From PSL 11 (2026), two new teams will be added. The franchise rights will be sold for a 10-year period (2026–2035). Successful bidders will be able to choose a team name from the cities Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, or Gilgit. They may also propose a name outside this list, but PCB reserves the right to approve or reject it. One time fees for it is USD one million.
Each franchise can include a suffix along with the city name, but this too will require PCB’s written approval. However, using suffixes already associated with existing franchises—such as Qalandars, Kings, United, Zalmi, Gladiators, or Sultans—is not permitted. Logos and team names will also require prior written approval from the board, and commercial brand names or logos cannot be used.
All bidders must include the proposed team name and logo in their technical proposal.
The central pool income from each tournament will be divided equally among all participating franchises. From PSL 11 to PSL 20, every franchise will have a right to receive a minimum fixed percentage share from the central pool after deductions for taxes, production, and licensing fees.
From media rights, franchises will receive 95%, and from sponsorships and ticket sales, they will also receive an equivalent share. From central licensing income, they will receive 85%. Franchise fees paid by teams will not be part of the central pool.
The PSL Governing Council may increase the percentage share for any number of tournaments at its discretion. After the 20th edition, the PCB will reassess and determine the franchise percentage shares.
The PCB has decided to provide the seventh and eighth teams with a guaranteed PKR 850 million each for the first five editions starting from PSL 11. If the central pool share of a successful bidder falls below this guaranteed minimum, the PCB will make up the shortfall or adjust the same amount as a discount in the franchise fee for the next tournament.
If tournament revenues decline and the PCB compensates the difference, that payment will be considered the final and only entitlement of the successful bidder for that period.
Successful bidders cannot sell or transfer ownership of the franchise during the first three years. However, from the fourth year onward, they may do so with PCB’s prior written approval, by paying 10% of the annual franchise fee as a transfer fee.