Rajasthan Royals Beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru To Secure This Stadium As 'Home' Venue For IPL 2026

The Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune is likely to host several Rajasthan Royals (RR) home games in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), sources familiar with the matter informed IANS on Friday.

As per reports in IANS from November, both RR and the defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were in contention to secure the Gahunje venue as their home ground for IPL 2026. RR had even conducted an inspection of the stadium and an initial survey of the nearby facilities.

Sources indicate that RR is more likely to get Pune as their home venue, which would replace Jaipur, their base since the IPL’s inception in 2008. “Things are going very close for both MCA and RR to close the deal. Many discussions are going on, so

this is likely to be a reality,” sources added.

Why Not Jaipur?

RR’s decision to shift some of their home matches from the Sawai Mansingh Stadium stems from ongoing disputes with the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA).

Tensions escalated in IPL 2025 when an RCA official accused the franchise of match-fixing, allegations the franchise categorically denied, demanding strict action against the individual involved.

Currently, RCA is managed by an adhoc committee headed by Deen Dayal Kumawat, and the unresolved internal issues are a significant factor in RR considering Pune for their home games.

RR, the IPL 2008 champions, also use the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati as another home ground. “An official announcement from the BCCI could come anytime soon,” another source following the developments informed IANS.

The MCA Stadium in Pune has hosted men’s international matches across all formats, including the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup and the Women’s T20 Challenge.

In the IPL, it has served as the home ground for teams such as Pune Warriors India, Rising Pune Supergiant, Punjab Kings, and Chennai Super Kings at various times in the 2010s.

(With inputs from Agencies)