The Pakistan Super League (PSL) could see a change in its timing next year as media rights holders raised concerns about dwindling ad revenues and sponsorship deals during its current April-May slot. The shift would see the T20 league move away from clashing with the bigger Indian Premier League (IPL), which dominates the cricket calendar during this period.
The suggestion is said to have been proposed during a meeting of the PSL Governing Council in London, on September 1. According to a source, Walee Technologies, the domestic broadcast and digital rights holder for the PSL league and which also owns one of the eight PSL franchises, proposed a January-February change.
PSL Eyes January Shift to Escape IPL Clash
The PSL has traditionally been played between February and March since its launch in 2016; however, clashes with ICC events during that window in 2025 and 2026 have forced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to move the tournament to April–May, putting it directly up against the IPL.
The change has caused commercial concerns as media rights holders reportedly made it clear that the April-May window has not delivered the desired advertising and sponsorship opportunities, and franchise owners are concerned by the lack of interest in the competition as Pakistan struggles across formats.
Under the existing agreement between the PCB and the franchises, the eight teams receive 95 per cent of the broadcast revenue generated through the league's central revenue pool, so any move that can increase this would have a significant impact on the franchises.
The proposal also includes a possible change to the league's geographical schedule. Karachi could host the opening matches due to its relatively moderate winter conditions before the tournament moves towards Punjab and Peshawar as the competition progresses and weather conditions become less severe.
Pakistan currently has a relatively clear international cricket window from mid-November through March where there are no home or away series, potentially giving the PCB room to accommodate the PSL earlier in the calendar.
Walee Technologies Has Major Stake in PSL's Future
Walee Technologies holds the PSL's domestic broadcast and digital rights until 2029 as well as the international media rights for the 2026 season. The company is also the owner of Rawalpindi, one of the two new franchises introduced when the league expanded from six to eight teams this year.
With the broadcaster also having a direct stake in the competition, its concerns over the April–May window could have considerable weight as the PCB considers the league's future scheduling model.
However, a change to January–February would require careful coordination with Pakistan's international calendar and other major cricket leagues and the PCB will also need to assess venue availability, weather conditions and the commercial impact before making a final decision.
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PSL Explores Esports and Mid-Year Tournament
The Governing Council also discussed opportunities to expand the PSL's commercial footprint beyond traditional cricket, one of which would be to enter the esports market, an industry that has been growing rapidly in Pakistan.
An esports initiative would help the PSL to connect with a younger and more diverse audience while opening up additional sponsorship and commercial opportunities for the league and its franchises.
The council also discussed the possibility of introducing a mid-year tournament under the existing agreement between the franchises and the broadcaster, which the proposal is understood to have come from the PCB as a potential additional source of revenue for both the franchises and the broadcaster.
A mid-year competition would also help keep the PSL brand visible outside its main season and provide another platform for sponsors and broadcasters.
For now, the January-February proposal is under discussion however the growing commercial pressure around the April-May window could push the PCB towards a significant change in the PSL calendar.