PSL 2026 playoffs to be played before fans, confirms PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed that fans will be allowed to watch the Pakistan Super League 2026 (PSL 2026) playoffs from the stadium. The entire league stage of the PSL 2026 was hosted behind closed doors, across two venues in Lahore and Karachi.

The tournament was originally scheduled to be hosted across six cities, but was later shifted to just two venues in line with the Pakistan government’s fuel conservation measures amid the West Asia crisis. However, Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed that Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif has now allowed fans’ presence in the stadium for the playoffs.

"Just had a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and I'm pleased to share that we have secured his approval for public attendance in all three PSL playoff matches as well. However, this comes with an important condition from his side that fans are strongly encouraged to use public transport or minimise fuel consumption while attending the matches, in line with the ongoing national austerity efforts,” Naqvi posted on X.

The entire league stage of the PSL 2026 was played in front of a handful of fans at the stadiums, which included special guests and a few sponsorship-related attendees. The owners of all franchises had also pushed PCB to allow fans to be present in the stadium.

PSL playoffs to begin on April 28

Meanwhile, the PSL 2026 playoffs are all set to begin on Tuesday, April 28, with Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United locking horns in the Qualifier at National Stadium in Karachi. On the other hand, Multan Sultans and Hyderabad Kingsmen will play the Eliminator 1 on April 29 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, which will also host the Eliminator 2 on May 1.

The final of the PSL 2026 will be played between the winners of Qualifier and Eliminator 2 on May 3 in Lahore. PCB are yet to announce the ticketing and logistic mechanisms for the fans to watch playoffs.