PSL 2026 Schedule: Every Match Date, Time & Venue (Season 11)

PSL 2026 Schedule kicks off on March 26 and ends on May 3. With 8 teams, 44 matches, and 6 cities, this is the biggest Pakistan Super League season ever played.

If you want to know every match date, start time, venue, and playoff format — it’s all right here. No fluff. No guesswork.

What Makes PSL 2026 Different from Every Previous Season

PSL 11 is not just another edition. The PCB made four major changes that fans need to know:

• Two brand-new teams join for the first time — Rawalpindi Pindiz and Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen
• Two new host cities — Faisalabad and Peshawar are hosting PSL matches for the first time
• First-ever player auction replaces the old draft system
• New two-group format — 8 teams split into 2 groups of 4

This expansion makes the schedule longer, the cricket more competitive, and the matches more spread across Pakistan than ever before.

PSL 2026 Key Details at a Glance

The 8 Teams of PSL 2026

PSL 2026 features six returning franchises and two new ones:

Returning Teams:

• Lahore Qalandars (defending champions)
• Karachi Kings
• Quetta Gladiators
• Peshawar Zalmi
• Islamabad United
• Multan Sultans

New Franchises:

• Rawalpindi Pindiz — rebranded from the original Multan Sultans franchise, acquired by Walee Technologies for a record PKR 2.45 billion
• Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen — a brand-new expansion team

Want to know the full squads? Check out the PSL 2026 All Teams Squads for a complete breakdown of every team’s player list.

PSL 2026 Match Timings

All matches follow two simple time slots:

• Day matches start at 2:30 PM PKT (9:30 AM GMT)
• Night matches start at 8:00 PM PKT (3:00 PM GMT)

Most matches are night games. Day games are mostly scheduled on weekends.

PSL 2026 Full Schedule — All 44 Matches

League Stage (March 26 – April 26)

Playoff Stage

PSL 2026 Venues: Where Will Matches Be Played?

Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore — 15 Matches

The main hub of PSL 2026. It hosts the opening match and the Grand Final. Lahore has always been the heartbeat of PSL, and this season is no different.

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium — 11 Matches

The second busiest venue this season. It also hosts the Qualifier on April 28 — the first knockout game.

Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad — 7 Matches (New PSL Venue)

Faisalabad is making its PSL debut in 2026. It hosts 7 league matches, mostly during the April 9–18 window. A milestone moment for Pakistan’s cricket culture.

National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi — 6 Matches

Karachi hosts a solid block of matches from April 8–16. The Kings play most of their home games here.

Multan Cricket Stadium — 4 Matches

Multan Sultans host their home matches here in early April.

Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, Peshawar — 1 Match (New PSL Venue)

March 28 sees history made — Peshawar hosts a PSL match for the first time ever. Peshawar Zalmi vs Rawalpindi Pindiz. It may be just one match this season, but it opens the door for more in the future.

PSL 2026 Playoff Format Explained Simply

After 40 league matches, the top 4 teams advance to the playoffs.

Here’s how it works:

Qualifier (April 28 — Rawalpindi) → Team 1 vs Team 2. The winner goes directly to the Final.

Eliminator 1 (April 29 — Lahore) → Team 3 vs Team 4. The loser is eliminated.

Eliminator 2 (May 1 — Lahore) → Qualifier loser vs Eliminator 1 winner. The loser goes home.

Final (May 3 — Lahore) → Qualifier winner vs Eliminator 2 winner. The PSL 2026 Champion is crowned.

This format gives the top two teams an extra life and rewards finishing higher in the league stage.

PSL 2026 Group Format — What’s New This Year

With 8 teams, the PCB introduced a two-group structure:

• Each team plays twice against the 3 teams in its own group
• Each team plays once against the 4 teams in the other group
• Every team plays a total of 10 league matches

This keeps the tournament compact and ensures every team still faces everyone at least once.

Where to Watch PSL 2026 Live

• Pakistan: ARY Sports and PTV Sports
• Live Streaming: HBL PSL Official App
• International: Rights vary by territory — check your local broadcaster

Key Matches to Watch Out For

March 26 — Opening Night Lahore Qalandars vs Hyderabad Kingsmen, Gaddafi Stadium. The defending champions open against the newest PSL franchise. Expect fireworks.

March 28 — Historic First Match in Peshawar Peshawar Zalmi vs Rawalpindi Pindiz. The first-ever PSL game in Peshawar. A moment for the whole city.

April 3 — Top vs Top Multan Sultans vs Lahore Qalandars in Multan. Two strong squads collide in an early-season blockbuster.

May 3 — The Grand Final Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Night match. The PSL 2026 champion will be decided here.

Multan Sultans: A Team Worth Following This Season

Multan Sultans have assembled a dangerous squad for PSL 2026. Their home stretch in early April could define their playoff push. Want to know who’s in their lineup?

Read: Multan Sultans PSL 2026 Squad — 7 Strongest Players

What Competitors Miss — Coverage Gaps Filled

Most schedule articles stop at just listing match dates. Here’s what they leave out:

1. Peshawar’s historic first match is barely mentioned. March 28 is a landmark day for cricket in KPK. Peshawar has been a PSL franchise city for years but never hosted a match. That changes in 2026.

2. Why Faisalabad gets 7 matches. Iqbal Stadium was renovated and PCB deliberately used this season to test new venues, building PSL’s footprint beyond just Lahore and Karachi.

3. The Rawalpindi Pindiz backstory. The Pindiz are not a “new” team from scratch — they are the rebranded Multan franchise after the original owners sold it. New name, new city, new identity.

4. Why night matches dominate the schedule. 8 PM PKT is peak viewership time in Pakistan. PCB and broadcasters both benefit from evening slots. Day matches are scheduled mainly on weekends when families can attend.

5. The auction impact on squad depth. For the first time, franchises bid for players instead of drafting them. This means some teams overpaid for stars while others built smart, balanced squads. Naseem Shah went for PKR 86.5 million. David Warner signed for Karachi Kings.

Tips for PSL 2026 Fans

Planning to attend a match?

• Lahore and Rawalpindi host the most games — easiest cities for fans across Punjab
• Faisalabad games are mid-April, book tickets early as it’s a debut PSL city
• Night games have a better atmosphere but arrive 45 minutes early

Watching from home?

• Set a reminder for April 28 onward — the playoffs are where PSL gets truly electric
• Follow ARY Sports and PTV Sports for live coverage

Want to track the points table?

• Weeks 3 and 4 (April 8–21) are the most critical — this is when group standings begin to separate the playoff contenders from the rest

Conclusion

PSL 2026 is the most ambitious edition of the Pakistan Super League yet. Eight teams, six cities, 44 matches, and a brand-new format — there’s something for every cricket fan from Peshawar to Karachi.

The season runs from March 26 to May 3, 2026, with the Grand Final at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore under the lights.

Bookmark this page. The full schedule is here. The cricket starts now.

FAQs — PSL 2026 Schedule

When does PSL 2026 start? March 26, 2026. The opening match is Lahore Qalandars vs Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

When is the PSL 2026 final? May 3, 2026 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Night match starting at 8:00 PM PKT.

How many matches are in PSL 2026? 44 matches in total — 40 league stage games and 4 playoff matches.

What time do PSL 2026 matches start? Night games start at 8:00 PM PKT (3:00 PM GMT). Day games start at 2:30 PM PKT (9:30 AM GMT).

Which cities are hosting PSL 2026? Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Karachi, Multan, and Peshawar. Faisalabad and Peshawar are new PSL venues.

How many teams are in PSL 2026? Eight teams — six returning franchises plus two new ones: Rawalpindi Pindiz and Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen.

Who are the defending PSL champions? Lahore Qalandars won PSL 10 in 2025 and are the defending champions going into PSL 2026.

Where can I watch PSL 2026 live? ARY Sports and PTV Sports in Pakistan. International viewers can stream via the HBL PSL official app or their regional broadcaster.

How does the PSL 2026 playoff format work? Top 4 teams qualify. The Qualifier (April 28) sends the winner straight to the final. The three remaining teams fight through Eliminator 1 (April 29) and Eliminator 2 (May 1) for the second final spot.

Is Peshawar really hosting a PSL match? Yes — for the first time ever. Peshawar Zalmi vs Rawalpindi Pindiz on March 28 at Imran Khan Cricket Stadium.

Sources: PCB Official / Wisden | ESPN Cricinfo PSL 2026

Read more: PSL 2026 All Teams Full Squads | Multan Sultans PSL 2026 Squad