The ongoing edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 has now shifted to Karachi after the first 11 matches of the event were held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
National Bank Cricket Stadium in Karachi is scheduled to host 22 matches of the ongoing season before the tournament returns to Lahore for its final leg.
The recent hike in fuel prices by the Government of Pakistan has also increased the cost of floodlights at the stadium, as all matches are being played under lights.
According to estimates, each floodlight tower requires 45 litres of diesel, priced at Rs520 per litre, resulting in an operating cost of Rs23,400 per tower during a single match.
With six towers installed at the iconic stadium, the total diesel expense for floodlights during one match reaches Rs140,400, according to calculations.
Across 22 scheduled matches, floodlight diesel consumption will cost Rs3,088,800, highlighting the significant operational expenditure required to host the tournament.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already incurred financial losses after opting to hold matches without spectators under government austerity measures.
Gate collections at stadiums generated nearly 500 million rupees during the PSL 2025, a revenue stream now entirely eliminated due to the absence of fans in PSL 11 matches.
Under the PSL financial system, ticket revenue is pooled centrally, alongside broadcasting, sponsorship, and other commercial income, rather than being distributed to individual teams directly.
Revenue is distributed according to a fixed formula, with PCB retaining slightly over five percent and the remaining 90 percent shared equally among all franchise teams.
In the eighth edition of PSL, total revenue reached 562 crore rupees, with PCB receiving approximately 58 crore and six teams averaging roughly 84 crore rupees each.
Because gate income is part of the central pool, the absence of spectators will reduce all franchises’ revenue, though PCB has pledged to absorb the financial shortfall.
Earlier, it was reported that PCB was reassessing its decision to hold the 2026 Pakistan Super League matches behind closed doors amid requests and public discussions.
