PSL 12 roadmap announced: direct signings open today, player auction set for January 23, 2027

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled the pre-season roadmap for the twelfth edition of the Pakistan Super League. Under the schedule announced from Lahore on Friday, the direct-signing window for all eight franchises opens today and runs until November 23, 2026, while the player auction has been set for January 23, 2027.

One marquee signing per franchise

The PCB says each franchise may directly sign one marquee player who did not feature in PSL 10 or PSL 11. It is the first formal opportunity for teams to shape their squads ahead of the auction. A franchise workshop is also scheduled next week to finalise retention deadlines, the pre-auction trade window, auction rules and playing conditions.

46 days, 44 matches, five to six venues — final at Gaddafi Stadium

PSL 12 will run from March 18 to May 2, 2027. The league will span 46 days and 44 matches — 40 league games and four playoffs — and will be the first edition spread across five to six venues. The final will be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on May 2, 2027.

A new pathway for young players

The PCB has also tied domestic cricket into the PSL structure: the National T20 Gold and National T20 Silver tournaments will now serve as talent-identification pathways, giving young players a route into the league through the auction.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said PSL 11 ended “before a record crowd” and that PSL 12 would be “the league’s most ambitious yet,” adding that the roadmap gives franchises, players, commercial partners and broadcasters “the certainty to plan at the highest level.” PSL CEO Salman Naseer said “From today, the race to build the best squad for HBL PSL 12 is on,” and hoped the season would take the league to heights it has never reached before.