Rajasthan Royals (RR) are going to shift their main home ground from Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur to Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Gahunje, Pune for the 2026 Indian Premier League season, multiple sources have confirmed in early January 2026.
The move comes due to ongoing disputes with the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA), which is currently being run by an ad-hoc committee, as well as the Sawai Mansingh Stadium failing to meet updated evacuation and security rules. Tensions escalated in 2025 when an RCA official accused RR of match-fixing in a match—a claim vehemently rejected by the franchise. BCCI has indicated that there will be no IPL matches in Jaipur until the RCA resolves the governance issues and conducts elections.
RR’s operations team inspected the MCA stadium last month, assessing the facilities, logistics and infrastructure. The talks have almost reached a final agreement, and Pune is expected to host most of RR’s home matches. Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium will remain the secondary venue, where perhaps three matches will be played, in line with recent practice.
The MCA Stadium, a modern facility that hosted the 2023 ODI World Cup matches, also has previous IPL experience, as it has been the home ground for defunct teams like Pune Warriors India and Rising Pune Supergiant, as well as the temporary base for Chennai Super Kings (2018 title winners) and Punjab Kings.
Royal Challengers Bangalore had also explored the option of Pune amid Chinnaswamy Stadium concerns, but recent developments suggest that they will remain in Bengaluru. An official announcement from BCCI is expected soon.
The change ends RR’s 18-year association with Jaipur for now, while also expanding their fan base. The 2008 champions aim to bring stability to the venue ahead of the season.
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