Rajasthan Royals are awaiting a decision from the IPL and the BCCI over whether Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium (SMS) will host their home matches for the upcoming season. RR have already raised concerns
about safety compliance and infrastructure at the venue.
According to The Times of India, the franchise has written to the IPL chairman, the BCCI secretary, and the league’s chief executive seeking clarification over what it describes as deficiencies in fail-safe systems at the ground.
“Royals, while in principle agreeing to play matches at SMS Stadium, have written to the IPL chairman, BCCI secretary and the CEO seeking clarification on the status of the Jaipur stadium’s lack of fail-safe measures,” a source was quoted as saying by the publication.
The SMS was reportedly last upgraded in 2006 and has since seen limited modernisation. Despite it being a regular IPL venue, questions have been raised about evacuation norms, structural integrity, civic works, and operational preparedness required for contemporary, high-attendance T20 fixtures.
“From civic work to emergency evacuation, there exist serious issues of public safety and Royals have communicated everything to the RSSC, BCCI and IPL governing council,” the source added.
As per the reports, concerns have been repeatedly communicated since June last year, which centre on life-safety standards and statutory compliance across engineering and operational domains.
Additionally, the continued uncertainty within the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA), which has operated without an elected body for nearly two years, has complicated the matter. The IPL governing council has previously warned that Jaipur could end up losing its 2026 fixtures if RCA elections are not conducted.
Meanwhile, according to Cricbuzz, RR have Pune as a backup option for home matches should Jaipur fail to get clearance for the matches. The franchise has held discussions with the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) over the possibility of playing a few of their home matches in Pune.
The IPL 2026 is expected to get underway from March 26.
