The Indian Premier League (IPL) faces a significant venue alteration concerning Rajasthan Royals' home games for the 2026 season. Jaipur, the team's traditional base, will not host matches, marking a notable shift in their home ground strategy for this period. This adjustment is confirmed for the upcoming edition of the premier Twenty20 cricket tournament.
Instead of Jaipur, Rajasthan Royals confirmed they will relocate some designated home fixtures to the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune. This decision impacts the team's logistical planning for the highly anticipated 2026 IPL tournament, moving a portion of their schedule.
Jaipur Out, Pune In for 2026
The announcement states the IPL will not return to Jaipur for the 2026 edition of the Twenty20 cricket league. This means the iconic venue that has served as a primary home for Rajasthan Royals will be sidelined, marking a change in its operational blueprint for that specific season.
Consequently, focus shifts to the MCA Stadium in Pune, now slated to host a portion of Rajasthan Royals' home schedule. The move ensures the franchise maintains a base for its home encounters, albeit at a different location than its historical one. This provides a clear alternative for the team.
Rajasthan Royals' Venue Strategy
Rajasthan Royals, a prominent franchise within the Indian Premier League, are preparing for the 2026 season with this venue adjustment. The strategic decision involves playing a specified number of their home games away from Rajasthan's capital city, impacting fan engagement in Jaipur.
This change refers to "some" of their home games, indicating that while Jaipur is out for 2026, Pune will serve as a partial home base for the Royals. The team will leverage facilities and support at the MCA Stadium for their performances, adapting to the new circumstances.
Implications for the 2026 Season
For the 2026 IPL season, cricket enthusiasts should anticipate seeing Rajasthan Royals compete on "home" turf at the MCA Stadium in Pune for specific matches. This marks a definitive change, as Jaipur will not be part of the home venue rotation for this particular year.
The franchise adapts its operational blueprint to accommodate these venue modifications effectively for the next Indian Premier League championship. This strategic pivot ensures the team has a designated base for crucial home encounters during the anticipated 2026 tournament.
