No games at M Chinnaswamy in IPL 2026? MCA officially confirms hosting games of RCB or RR in league

Maharashtra Cricket Association are in talks with RR and RCB franchises to host their home games in IPL 2026.

The MCA Stadium in Pune is likely to host matches of Rajasthan Royals (RR) or Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. In an official statement, Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) revealed that they are in talks with both these franchises to host their home games in the next season.

MCA revealed that officials from both teams visited the MCA Stadium in Pune recently and have shown interest in conducting their home games at the venue in IPL 2026. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru is the home ground of RCB, while Sawai ManSingh Stadium in Jaipur is the home ground of RR.

Notably, the Chinnawamy Stadium is awaiting permission from the Karnataka Government to host cricket events. After a deadly stampede during RCB’s victory celebrations after IPL 2025 final on June 4 that claimed over 11 lives, the stadium was halted from hosting cricket matches. It was also removed as one of the venues during ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

On the other hand, Sawai ManSingh Stadium in Jaipur is facing a similar issue related to security as it has failed to comply with the safety evacuation norms. Moreover, due to the issues between RR management and the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA), the stadium is unlikely to host RR’s home games in the next season.

The issues started after RCA ad-hoc convener Jaideep Bihani accused RR of match-fixing allegations during IPL 2025, which the latter strongly denied. They suggested the accusations were politically motivated. Moreover, there are also disputes regarding power struggles between RCA and RR authorities.

RCB and RR have shown interest in hosting their IPL 2026 home matches in Pune: MCA

In their official statement, MCA revealed that both RCB and RR have shown interest in hosting their games of IPL 2026 in Pune. They also sought the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) support to allot permission to the MCA Stadium to conduct matches in IPL 2026.

“We extend our sincere thanks to Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals for visiting MCA International Stadium, Gahunje, Pune a couple of weeks back. Their presence marks a significant step in showcasing the MCA International Stadium, Pune, as a premier destination for top-tier cricketing events,” MCA said in an official statement.

“Considering BCCI’s support for the Maharashtra Cricket Association, we are sure that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will approve the MCA International Stadium as a venue for upcoming fixtures of one of these teams in the near future,” the statement further added.

“With BCCI’s support, Indian Premier League (IPL) matches can soon be hosted in Pune-bringing high-profile clashes, world-class players, and the electrifying IPL spectacle to cricket fans in the city. Maharashtra Cricket Association looks forward to welcoming big matches, big players, and unforgettable moments very soon,” concluded MCA in their statement.

Notably, MCA Stadium hosted games in IPL 2012 season for the first time, where it was the home venue of now defunct Pune Warriors India (PWI) team. It also hosted their games for the next two seasons till 2014.

Later in the 2016 and 2017 editions, the venue hosted games of the Rising Pune Supergiants franchise. The venue also witnesses international matches of the Indian Cricket Team and is one of the most popular cricket stadiums in India.

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