Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has announced that the finals of the 2026 Pakistan Super League will be held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore with fans in attendance. Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister, confirmed that the Prime Minister has approved this decision.
“I asked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to allow fans in the stadiums. He was open to the idea but noted the current austerity measures in Pakistan aimed at reducing fuel consumption. However, he has kindly approved allowing fans for the PSL 11 Final, following requests from franchise owners. I thank him for his support,” Naqvi stated, according to ESPNCricinfo.
The PSL final is set for May 3, and it will be the first match of the season with spectators present. Previously, the tournament was held without fans due to energy-saving measures in response to the West Asian crisis affecting fuel supplies in the region.
On March 22, Naqvi announced that the tournament would be played behind closed doors, with matches taking place at just two venues: Lahore and Karachi, instead of the originally planned six. He left the possibility of fans returning open but noted that this depended on the resolution of conflicts in West Asia.
A month into the tournament, there has been no change to this arrangement. Games have had only a limited number of attendees, including special guests and sponsors. There has been growing interest among franchise owners for the return of fans for the remaining matches.
The PCB has yet to provide details on how tickets for the final will be sold.