The Maharashtra Cricket Association has officially confirmed that officials from both Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals visited the MCA International Stadium in Gahunje to scout the venue as a potential home ground for the IPL 2026 season.
In a statement released on Sunday, January 4, the MCA thanked the franchises for their interest, noting that "their presence marks a significant step in showcasing the MCA International Stadium, Pune, as a premier destination for top-tier cricketing events."
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are exploring new bases after the M Chinnaswamy Stadium was deemed "unsuitable and unsafe for mass gatherings" by the Justice John Michael D’Cunha Commission. The stadium has faced severe scrutiny following a tragic stampede during RCB’s IPL 2025 title celebrations in June, which resulted in the deaths of 11 fans.
While some recent reports suggest the Karnataka government may eventually grant conditional clearance, the ongoing safety restrictions and lack of mandatory permissions have already forced major events, including the 2026 T20 World Cup fixtures, away from Bengaluru. Consequently, RCB has been in active discussions with the MCA to secure Pune as a temporary home.
Rajasthan Royals are facing similar hurdles at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur due to both safety violations and administrative turmoil. The venue has reportedly failed to comply with updated evacuation and safety norms, while the Rajasthan Cricket Association remains under an ad-hoc committee after failing to conduct mandatory elections.
IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal recently warned that no matches would be held in Jaipur until an elected body is established, leading the Royals to identify Pune as a primary alternative alongside their secondary base in Guwahati. The franchise is expected to split its home fixtures between the two cities if the situation in Jaipur remains unresolved.
The MCA remains optimistic that the BCCI will formally approve Pune as a host city, bringing high-profile IPL action back to the stadium for the first time since 2022. "Considering BCCI’s support for the Maharashtra Cricket Association, we are sure that the BCCI will approve the MCA International Stadium as a venue for upcoming fixtures of one of these teams in the near future," the association stated.
Pune has a proven track record for hosting major events, having recently served as the venue for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 knockouts and India’s T20I victory over England in January 2025. If the move is finalized, Pune fans can expect to host some of the league's biggest stars later this spring.
