PSL 2026 Schedule: Revised Format, Venues, and Full Fixture List
PSL 2026 Schedule : The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 schedule has undergone significant revision following the adoption of austerity measures in consultation with the Government of Pakistan. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that the number of host venues has been reduced from six to two, with all matches now being staged exclusively in Lahore and Karachi .
This decision aligns with national resource conservation efforts amid the ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East. With the tournament temporarily shifting to a watch-from-home model, PSL 2026 will introduce enhanced broadcast and production features to deliver an even stronger viewing experience for fans across Pakistan and around the world .
PSL 2026 Schedule : Tournament Overview
Detail Information
Dates March 26 – May 3, 2026
Total Matches 44 matches
Duration 39 days
Host Cities Lahore (22 matches) + Karachi (22 matches)
Opening Match Lahore Qalandars vs Hyderabad Kingsmen (March 26)
Final Venue Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (May 3)
Qualifier Venue National Stadium, Karachi (April 28)
Broadcast PTV Sports, A Sports, Geo Super, Ten Sports
The decision to limit the tournament to two cities was made after careful consideration. It was estimated that with an average of 30,000 spectators and associated support staff traveling daily for over a month, the tournament would place significant strain on energy resources. By limiting to two cities, the PSL also reduces extensive operational arrangements including transport and utility overheads .
Read Also Here: Pakistan Hockey World Cup 2026 Schedule Announced
Why the PSL 2026 Schedule Was Revised
The biggest reason behind the revised schedule is the ongoing geopolitical situation impacting regional travel and operations . PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced that the league would be held behind closed doors amid austerity measures taken in light of the situation in the Middle East .
Originally, six cities—Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Peshawar—were scheduled to host matches in the expanded eight-team edition. However, after consultations with the Prime Minister and security agencies, the decision was made to proceed without crowds and limit venues .
Naqvi also confirmed that the opening ceremony of the tournament has been cancelled, with PSL 11 set to begin directly with the opening match on March 26 .
Full PSL 2026 Schedule (Revised)
Phase 1: Lahore Matches (March 26 – April 6)
Match No. Date Day/Night Teams Venue Time
1 Mar 26 Night Lahore Qalandars vs Hyderabad Kingsmen Lahore 7:00 PM
2 Mar 27 Night Quetta Gladiators vs Karachi Kings Lahore 7:00 PM
3 Mar 28 Day Peshawar Zalmi vs Rawalpindiz Lahore 2:30 PM
4 Mar 28 Night Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United Lahore 7:00 PM
5 Mar 29 Day Quetta Gladiators vs Hyderabad Kingsmen Lahore 2:30 PM
6 Mar 29 Night Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Lahore 7:00 PM
7 Mar 31 Night Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi Lahore 7:00 PM
8 Apr 1 Night Multan Sultans vs Hyderabad Kingsmen Lahore 7:00 PM
9 Apr 2 Day Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United Lahore 2:30 PM
10 Apr 2 Night Rawalpindiz vs Karachi Kings Lahore 7:00 PM
11 Apr 3 Night Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans Lahore 7:00 PM
12 Apr 4 Night Rawalpindiz vs Islamabad United Lahore 7:00 PM
13 Apr 5 Night Quetta Gladiators vs Multan Sultans Lahore 7:00 PM
14 Apr 6 Night Multan Sultans vs Rawalpindiz Lahore 7:00 PM
Phase 2: Karachi Matches (April 8 – April 19)
Match No. Date Day/Night Teams Venue Time
15 Apr 8 Night Hyderabad Kingsmen vs Peshawar Zalmi Karachi 7:00 PM
16 Apr 9 Day Lahore Qalandars vs Islamabad United Karachi 2:30 PM
17 Apr 9 Night Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi Karachi 7:00 PM
18 Apr 10 Night Quetta Gladiators vs Rawalpindiz Karachi 7:00 PM
19 Apr 11 Day Peshawar Zalmi vs Lahore Qalandars Karachi 2:30 PM
20 Apr 11 Night Karachi Kings vs Hyderabad Kingsmen Karachi 7:00 PM
21 Apr 12 Night Hyderabad Kingsmen vs Islamabad United Karachi 7:00 PM
22 Apr 13 Night Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans Karachi 7:00 PM
23 Apr 15 Night Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators Karachi 7:00 PM
24 Apr 16 Day Hyderabad Kingsmen vs Rawalpindiz Karachi 2:30 PM
25 Apr 16 Night Karachi Kings vs Islamabad United Karachi 7:00 PM
26 Apr 17 Night Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators Karachi 7:00 PM
27 Apr 18 Night Lahore Qalandars vs Rawalpindiz Karachi 7:00 PM
28 Apr 19 Day Karachi Kings vs Multan Sultans Karachi 2:30 PM
29 Apr 19 Night Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators Karachi 7:00 PM
Phase 3: Return to Lahore + Karachi (April 21 – April 26)
Match No. Date Day/Night Teams Venue Time
30 Apr 21 Day Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators Lahore 2:30 PM
31 Apr 21 Night Rawalpindiz vs Multan Sultans Karachi 7:00 PM
32 Apr 22 Day Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi Lahore 2:30 PM
33 Apr 22 Night Hyderabad Kingsmen vs Multan Sultans Karachi 7:00 PM
34 Apr 23 Day Rawalpindiz vs Islamabad United Karachi 2:30 PM
35 Apr 23 Night Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings Lahore 7:00 PM
36 Apr 24 Night Hyderabad Kingsmen vs Islamabad United Karachi 7:00 PM
37 Apr 25 Day Quetta Gladiators vs Karachi Kings Lahore 2:30 PM
38 Apr 25 Night Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi Lahore 7:00 PM
39 Apr 26 Day Hyderabad Kingsmen vs Rawalpindiz Karachi 2:30 PM
40 Apr 26 Night Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans Karachi 7:00 PM
Playoffs and Final (April 28 – May 3)
Match Date Teams Venue Time
- Qualifier Apr 28 TBD vs TBD Karachi 7:00 PM
- Eliminator 1 Apr 29 TBD vs TBD Lahore 7:00 PM
- Eliminator 2 May 1 TBD vs TBD Lahore 7:00 PM
- Final May 3 TBD vs TBD Lahore 7:00 PM
Key Changes in PSL 2026 Revised Schedule
1. Venues Reduced to Two Cities
All matches will now be played only in:
Lahore (Gaddafi Stadium) – 22 matches
Karachi (National Stadium) – 22 matches
Originally, six cities including Multan, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Peshawar were also expected to host matches .
2. Changes in Playoff Venues
Qualifier: Shifted to Karachi (originally scheduled for Rawalpindi)
Eliminator 1 & 2 + Final: Remain in Lahore
3. New Match Timings
Day matches: 2:30 PM (local time)
Night matches: 7:00 PM (local time)
These updated timings are designed for better scheduling and audience convenience .
4. Tournament Without Spectators
Due to the ongoing security situation and austerity measures, the tournament will be held without spectators . This marks a significant shift from the league’s usual vibrant atmosphere but aligns with national priorities .
5. Opening Ceremony Cancelled
The opening ceremony of the tournament has been cancelled, with PSL 11 set to begin directly with the opening match on March 26 .
PSL 2026 Teams and Captains
With the expansion to eight teams, here are the franchises and their captains for PSL 11 :
Team Captain
- Lahore Qalandars Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Karachi Kings David Warner
- Islamabad United Shadab Khan
- Peshawar Zalmi Babar Azam
- Multan Sultans Ashton Turner
- Quetta Gladiators Saud Shakeel
- Hyderabad Kingsmen Marnus Labuschagne
- Rawalpindiz Mohammad Rizwan
Where to Watch PSL 2026
Broadcast in Pakistan
Millions of fans in Pakistan will be able to catch the thrilling HBL PSL 11 action on:
- Pakistan Television (PTV)
- A Sports
- Geo Super
- Ten Sports
Live Streaming in Pakistan
The live streaming of PSL 2026 matches will be available on mobile phones through various platforms .
Global Broadcast Partners
- Region Broadcasters
- Australia & New Zealand ESPN
- Bangladesh T Sports, Tapmad
- Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Cricbuzz, Switch TV, STARZPLAY
- Sri Lanka Tapmad, Dialog TV, VIU Hub
- Nepal Tapmad
- United Kingdom ARY Digital (Sky 748), ARY Plus
- USA & Canada Willow TV, Willow Sports, Willow by Cricbuzz
- Rest of the World Tapmad
Enhanced Broadcast Production
The broadcast will be produced with 30+ cameras, featuring various editorial and technical enhancements to achieve engaging top-tier coverage in English and Urdu. The Urdu broadcast promises to be the most comprehensive to date, comprising dedicated cameras, replay angles, studio shows, features, and highlights .
Tournament Format
The 11th edition of the PSL features eight teams competing in 44 matches over 39 days . The format includes:
Group Stage: Each team plays 10 matches in the group stage
Playoffs: Top four teams qualify for playoffs
Playoff Structure:
- Qualifier: 1st place vs 2nd place (winner advances to final)
- Eliminator 1: 3rd place vs 4th place (loser eliminated)
- Eliminator 2: Loser of Qualifier vs Winner of Eliminator 1
- Final: Winner of Qualifier vs Winner of Eliminator 2
Important Dates
Event Date
Opening Match March 26, 2026
Qualifier April 28, 2026
Eliminator 1 April 29, 2026
Eliminator 2 May 1, 2026
Final May 3, 2026
Analysis by Best Pak Mag:
The revised PSL 2026 schedule reflects the PCB’s pragmatic response to challenging regional circumstances. By consolidating all matches to Lahore and Karachi, the tournament maintains its competitive integrity while aligning with national austerity measures . The decision to proceed without spectators, though disappointing for fans accustomed to the league’s electric atmosphere, demonstrates responsible governance during a period of energy conservation . The enhanced broadcast production, with 30+ cameras and comprehensive Urdu coverage, ensures that home viewers will experience the tournament in unprecedented quality . With 44 matches across 39 days, including high-profile clashes like Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings (March 29) and Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators (April 19), the cricketing action remains intense . The shift of the Qualifier to Karachi while keeping the final in Lahore maintains balance between the two host cities . For fans, this edition will be a unique watch-from-home experience, but the PCB’s commitment to delivering top-tier cricket remains unwavering .
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