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Rajasthan Royals (RR) are reportedly planning to shift base from Jaipur to another city ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. RR are considering all their options and are in talks with the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) to play its home matches at the MCA Stadium in Pune next season. However, any decision will need final approval from the BCCI.
As per a report in Cricbuzz, the Rajasthan Royals management is exploring all possible options for a new home base ahead of IPL 2026. The RR officials have also held preliminary discussions with the MCA officials about making Pune their home ground for the new season. RR officials also conducted a recce in Pune to assess the feasibility of the shift.
As per the report, Rajasthan Royals officials visited Pune to assess the stadium, the airport connectivity and the hotel options in Pune. If a deal is finalised with the MCA, RR will play at least four of their seven home matches in IPL 2026 at the MCA Stadium in Pune. They will play the remaining three matches at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.
"Yes, they were here to find out details about the capacity of the stadium, the nature of the pitches and hotels in the city. Our president, Mr. Rohit Pawar, is very keen that the IPL returns to the city. He is making all possible efforts," an MCA official was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz, confirming that RR officials visited the city.
The MCA Stadium is free of IPL duties as Mumbai Indians (MI), the franchise based in Maharashtra, play their home matches at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Pune served as the home ground for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during IPL 2018 due to protests in Chennai. The MCA Stadium last hosted an IPL match in the 2022 season.
Rajasthan Royals are reportedly planning to leave Jaipur owing to their ongoing issues with the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA). An RCA official accused the Rajasthan Royals of match fixing last season, an allegation that was strongly refuted by the franchise. RR also demanded strong action against the cricketing body, making it apparent that the relationship between the two parties had soured.
