Former champions Rajasthan Royals (RR) reportedly pipped Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to finalise their new base for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. RCB are preparing to defend their maiden title in IPL 2026, but the campaign will be overshadowed by a forced relocation. Fans will be unable to support the team at their iconic home, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, after a Karnataka government commission deemed the venue unsafe. This ruling follows a tragic stampede during the team’s championship victory celebrations, an event that resulted in 11 fatalities and led authorities to declare the stadium unsuitable for hosting major public events.
Rajasthan Royals find new home venue in MCA, Pune for IPL 2026
In search of a temporary home, RCB had set its sights on the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune. However, according to reports from IANS, it appears the franchise has lost out on this secondary option. The stadium has reportedly already been secured by the Rajasthan Royals (RR), who are expected to host several of their home matches there during the 2026 season.
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RCB's hunt for new home ground continues
The competition for the Pune venue was intense, with both RR and RCB engaging in high-level talks with the MCA. The Rajasthan Royals ultimately seem to have gained the upper hand, having already conducted a comprehensive survey of the ground’s facilities to ensure it meets their operational needs. This leaves RCB in a difficult position as they continue to hunt for a suitable home base for their title defense.
“Things are going very close for both MCA and RR to close the deal. Many discussions are going on, so this is likely to be a reality," a source privy to the development told IANS.
RR are set to move away from the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, which has served as their traditional home since the IPL's inception in 2008. This significant shift is the result of persistent and escalating friction between the franchise management and the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA), making their continued partnership untenable.
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The relationship soured further following a serious incident during the 2025 season, when an RCA official publicly accused the franchise of match-fixing. The Royals vehemently denied the claims, and the ensuing altercation severely damaged trust between the two organizations.
The conflict has reached a breaking point under the current RCA leadership, an ad-hoc committee headed by Deen Dayal Kumawat. Due to this ongoing "beef" and the lack of a functional working relationship with the committee, the Rajasthan Royals have decided to relocate their home matches to avoid further administrative interference.