The comparison between the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Indian Premier League (IPL) resurfaces frequently among cricket fans. While both leagues feature competitive cricket and international stars, recent franchise valuation figures show that, from a business and economic standpoint, the two tournaments operate on vastly different scales.
On Thursday, the PSL announced the sale of two new franchises as part of its expansion plans. In Indian currency terms, one team was sold for approximately ₹56 crore, while the other fetched close to ₹59 crore. The auctions were seen as a positive step for the league’s growth and long-term sustainability.
However, when viewed in isolation, these figures also highlight the financial limitations within which the PSL currently operates.
To understand the contrast, consider the IPL’s recent auction dynamics. Each IPL franchise had a ₹120 crore purse for the last mega auction. Even if the combined value of both newly sold PSL franchises is added together, it still does not match the amount an IPL team is allowed to spend on players alone.
In fact, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spent close to ₹64 crore in the most recent IPL mini-auction, more than the price paid for each of the new PSL teams. That spending represents just one franchise’s investment in a single auction window.
The starkest comparison comes from IPL franchise ownership history. In 2021, the RPSG Group acquired the Lucknow Super Giants for approximately ₹7,100 crore. That figure is nearly 120 times higher than the cost of the most expensive PSL franchise sold in 2026.
This single transaction underscores the massive valuation gap between the two leagues and reflects the IPL’s unmatched commercial appeal.
The difference is not solely about cricketing quality. The IPL benefits from record-breaking broadcast rights deals, global sponsorships, strong infrastructure, and worldwide viewership. These factors create a commercial ecosystem that significantly boosts franchise valuations.
The PSL, while successful within Pakistan and respected for nurturing talent, operates in a smaller market with limited revenue streams by comparison.
While the PSL continues to grow and evolve, the financial data makes one thing clear: comparing the PSL to the IPL in terms of scale, valuation or economics is unrealistic. Both leagues play the same game, but they exist in entirely different financial realities.
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