Jaipur, January 2, 2026: In a major development ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, Rajasthan Royals (RR) will not play any of their home matches in Jaipur, ending a long-standing association with the city’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium, sources confirmed on Friday.
According to multiple reports, the franchise is set to move its primary home base to the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune for the upcoming season. The move comes amid prolonged tensions between the Royals and the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA), coupled with infrastructure and administrative concerns that have clouded the future of IPL matches in Jaipur.
Pune’s MCA Stadium, located in Gahunje, is now likely to host the majority of RR’s eight home fixtures during IPL 2026, marking a significant shift from Jaipur, the franchise’s home since the league’s inception in 2008. The venue has previously hosted IPL games, most recently in 2022, and has been under consideration by several IPL teams as a potential home ground.
In addition to Pune, Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium is expected to serve as the Royals’ secondary base, with a few home matches slated to be played in the northeastern city, a continuation of the franchise’s recent pattern of split venues.
The shift away from Jaipur has been attributed to unresolved disputes with the RCA and a lack of compliance with updated evacuation and safety norms at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly made it clear that IPL cricket can return to Jaipur only when the RCA resolves its administrative issues and conducts overdue elections.
The relocation represents a historic change for the Royals, who have cherished strong fan support in Rajasthan’s capital. It also underscores broader governance and infrastructure challenges that have implications beyond just one franchise’s home schedule.
Fans in Jaipur, who have witnessed decades of exciting IPL action, will now have to travel to Pune or Guwahati to see their team in action during the 2026 season.