PSL Expansion: Hyderabad, Sialkot Deals Transform League

From a modest start in 2016 to billion-rupee deals in 2026, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has just taken its biggest financial leap, with new franchises from Hyderabad and Sialkot triggering a valuation surge that’s hard to ignore even from an Indian lens.

From Million-Rupee Start-Up To Billion-Rupee Beast

The two new franchises have been snapped up for a combined annual fee of around PKR 3.6 billion, a figure that outstrips, by roughly a third, what all existing PSL teams were paying together under the original financial model. This isn’t a one-time splash either – these are recurring yearly commitments, signalling serious long-term confidence in the league’s growth.

Hyderabad and Sialkot now join the existing six sides to make it an eight-team PSL, changing the dynamics of the tournament both on and off the field. For broadcasters, sponsors and rights holders, an expanded inventory of matches and two fresh markets mean a new cycle of negotiations at a higher base. For players, it opens up more roster spots, higher competition, and potentially better deals – even if PSL money still trails the IPL by a fair distance.

"Remember, this is an annual fee, not just a one-time payment." — Salman Naseer

For Indian fans used to IPL mega-auctions and sky-high franchise tags, these PSL numbers still sit at a different tier, but the trajectory is unmistakable. The league has shifted from survival mode to serious business, and with eight teams now in play, the next few seasons will reveal whether these bold bids can be matched by on-ground returns and on-field quality.