New Delhi: Rajasthan Royals (RR) have approached the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) about hosting some of their home matches for the 2026 Indian Premier League season in Pune, MCA secretary Adv. Kamlesh Pisal confirmed on Sunday.
The development comes just a week after reports surfaced that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were in talks with the MCA about playing their 2026 home fixtures at the MCA Stadium. Pisal said discussions with RCB are still ongoing.
“RCB had also approached us for hosting their IPL 2026 home games, and the discussions are still ongoing with them. Now, the Rajasthan Royals have approached us for hosting their home games in IPL 2026,” Pisal told IANS.
He added that RR officials recently visited Pune, inspected the MCA Stadium and surrounding facilities, and expressed readiness to shift some of their home fixtures to the venue. “Now it is left with the BCCI to confirm the venue and which team’s matches it will host in IPL 2026,” Pisal said.
Rajasthan Royals’ interest in exploring alternative home grounds follows ongoing tensions with the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA). The franchise, which also lists Guwahati’s Barsapara Cricket Stadium as its secondary home venue, plans to play some matches there as well in the 2026 season.
Disagreements escalated in IPL 2025 when an RCA official accused the franchise of match-fixing—allegations RR firmly rejected, urging action against the individual.
A second MCA official told IANS that the association is inclined to accept RR’s proposal, while RCB has sought time until the IPL auction in Abu Dhabi on December 16 to finalise their 2026 home venue.
The MCA Stadium has a history of hosting IPL teams, having served as home ground to Pune Warriors India, Rising Pune Supergiant and Punjab Kings during earlier seasons. It has also hosted men’s internationals, the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup, and the Women’s T20 Challenge. The venue was additionally set to host an AR Rahman concert on Sunday evening.
