IPL 2026: Rajasthan Royals Raise Safety Concerns Over Jaipur Home Venue

Although they may be playing their IPL 2026 matches at Jaipur, it is only when the safety issues at Sawai Mansingh Stadium are resolved. The team has written to the IPL and BCCI authorities, requesting clear answers with regard to their safety at the venue. The Rajasthan government wants the team to stay at Jaipur, but confirmation from the Royals is required.

Safety concerns put Rajasthan Royal's Jaipur IPL 2026 plans in doubt

The last renovation of the stadium took place in 2006, and not much has changed since then. The concern here is emergency exits, crowd control, and safety. Every year, more and more people are coming to watch the games, and they need proper safety features.

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Rajasthan Royals Founded: 2008

Rajasthan Royals is a cricket franchise that debuted in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008.

 A source told TOI that,

“Royals, while in principle agreeing to play matches at SMS Stadium, have written to the IPL chairman, BCCI secretary and the CEO seeking clarification on the status of the Jaipur stadium’s lack of fail-safe measures. From civic work to emergency evacuation, there exist serious issues of public safety and Royals have communicated everything to the RSSC, BCCI and IPL governing council,”

The venue has not hosted any T20 international matches for some time. The last match it hosted was in 2021. It has not hosted any ODI cricket for several years. As per the statement by RR, the stadium needs urgent upgradation to the level of the IPL.

Earlier, the government and the BCCI had requested the RR team to continue their services in Jaipur. However, the team has said it will only agree if the stadium is upgraded before the commencement of the new season on March 26. The chances of this upgrade appear slim since we are left with little time.

There is another management issue also. Rajasthan Cricket Association has not had an elected body during the past nearly two years or so. The IPL governing council has issued a warning to Jaipur that matches of IPL 2026 may not take place here unless elections take place. Last season, RR had looked at Pune as another option too. Guwahati is their second home ground already.

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by mishaalmubarak February 12, 2026