PSL 2026: All Games Shifted to Lahore and Karachi Due to Crisis

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 will be held entirely in Lahore and Karachi behind closed doors due to the ongoing West Asia crisis and fuel shortage in Pakistan. The decision was made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, citing national priorities and security concerns. The tournament, which was initially scheduled to be held in six cities, will now take place in only two cities, with the opening ceremony cancelled. The PCB will compensate franchise owners for the loss of gate receipts and refund ticket holders. "We can't ask people to restrict their movements and then have 30,000 people in stadiums every day," PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had said earlier on Sunday afternoon as he announced the change of operational plans in a press conference. "We decided that as long as this crisis is ongoing, we will not have crowds at matches. This was a difficult decision, but it needed to be made. The opening ceremony will also be cancelled." The first 14 matches - until April 6 - will be played in Lahore after which the 15 games will be played in Karachi. The league will return to Lahore from April 21 as it hosts an afternoon contest on a double-header day with the night game in Karachi. The two venues will also share double-headers on 26 April 22, 23, 25 and 26. The PSL 2026 will kick off on March 26 with Lahore Qalandars facing Hyderabad Kingsmen in Lahore, and conclude on May 3. Eight teams will participate in the tournament, including two new teams, Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindi Pindiz. The PSL's going digital ! With matches behind closed doors, they're ramping up broadcast and production features to give fans an epic viewing experience. The PCB's betting on fans' passion and innovative coverage to make this edition a global hit.