PSL 2027 Auction: Date, Retentions, Trade Window & Rules
Everything about the PSL 2027 player auction and squad-building process – retention rules, direct signings, the trade window, salary purse and the biggest buys from the first-ever PSL auction in 2026.
PSL 2027 Auction Date
The PCB has not yet announced the PSL 2027 auction date. When it confirmed the 18 March – 2 May 2027 window on 8 October 2026, the board said direct signings, player retentions, the trade window and the player auction would follow. Because the tournament starts in mid-March, the auction is expected in the first weeks of 2027. We will update this page as soon as the date is confirmed.
PSL 2027 Retention Rules
- Each franchise can retain up to seven players from its PSL 2026 squad.
- Players bought at the 2026 auction hold two-year contracts covering PSL 11 and PSL 12.
- Squads must have 16–20 players, including 5–7 overseas players and at least two uncapped Under-23 players.
- One direct overseas signing is allowed for a player who did not feature in PSL 11.
- Reports suggest Mohammad Amir may be classed as an overseas player for Rawalpindiz in 2027 because of his British citizenship (not yet confirmed).
PSL 2027 Squad-Building Steps
- Direct overseas signings
- Player retentions (up to 7)
- Trade window between franchises
- PSL 2027 player auction
- Replacement signings before and during the season
PSL 2026 Auction Recap
PSL 2026 replaced the old draft with the league’s first-ever player auction, held in Lahore on 11 February 2026. 888 local and overseas players registered across four base-price tiers (Rs 4.2 crore, Rs 2.2 crore, Rs 1.1 crore and Rs 60 lakh). Each team had a purse of Rs 45 crore, extendable to Rs 50.5 crore for one direct overseas signing. The right-to-match option was scrapped.
Most Expensive PSL Players
| Player | Team | Price | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith | Multan Sultans | Rs 14 cr | Direct signing |
| Saim Ayub | Hyderabad Kingsmen | Rs 12.6 cr | Retained |
| Naseem Shah | Rawalpindiz | Rs 8.65 cr | Auction |
| Faheem Ashraf | Islamabad United | Rs 8.5 cr | Auction |
| Daryl Mitchell | Rawalpindiz | Rs 8.05 cr | Auction |
| Fakhar Zaman | Lahore Qalandars | Rs 7.95 cr | Auction |
| David Warner | Karachi Kings | Rs 7.9 cr | Auction |
| Haris Rauf | Lahore Qalandars | Rs 7.6 cr | Auction |
| Babar Azam | Peshawar Zalmi | Rs 7 cr | Retained |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | Lahore Qalandars | Rs 7 cr | Retained |
See every player bought by each franchise on the PSL 2027 squads page.
PSL 2027 Auction – FAQs
When is the PSL 2027 auction?
The PSL 2027 auction date has not been announced yet. It is expected before the season starts on 18 March 2027.
Is there a PSL draft in 2027?
No. The PSL replaced the draft with a player auction in 2026, and the auction system continues for PSL 2027.
How many players can PSL teams retain for 2027?
Each team can retain up to seven players from its PSL 2026 squad.
Who was the most expensive player in the PSL 2026 auction?
In the auction itself, Naseem Shah was the costliest buy at Rs 8.65 crore (Rawalpindiz). Steve Smith earned Rs 14 crore as a direct signing for Multan Sultans.
When was the first PSL auction held?
The first PSL player auction was held in Lahore on 11 February 2026.