The IPL 2026 schedule is not out yet, and one franchise is at the center of it all. Rajasthan Royals have pushed back on playing their home games at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The BCCI has raised serious concerns about the venue, and until this standoff is resolved, fans across India will have to wait to learn when and where their favorite teams willplay.
RR’s Demand Is the Reason Behind the IPL 2026 Schedule Delay
Rajasthan Royals want the Rajasthan State Sports Council (RSSC) to give them an indemnity waiver before they agree to host matches in Jaipur. This demand follows a 700-page audit by Tata Projects that raised multiple safety concerns about the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. The BCCI has also flagged the same concerns about the venue’s condition and readiness.
The RSSC, however, is not budging. After a ten-day review of the stadium, they dismissed most of the safety issues RR raised. They insist the ground is ready to host IPL 2026 games, with only minor repair work needed.
This disagreement puts RR in a tough spot. They have been looking for an alternative home but have not found one yet. Meanwhile, the Bengaluru stampede tragedy earlier this year has made every IPL franchise far more cautious about fan safety. No team wants to take that risk, and RR is no different.
BCCI Has a Clear View on Where the Stadium Stands
The BCCI is not sitting quietly on the sidelines. A source within the board spoke plainly about the state of the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. They pointed out that the venue falls short compared to other IPL grounds when it comes to modern facilities and the overall experience it offers fans.
The source also revealed that the RSSC had previously been asked not to deal directly with the state government or local authorities. The board had given special permission for the stadium to host IPL matches in 2024 and 2025, but only because the Rajasthan Cricket Association was running under an ad-hoc body at the time.
“SMS stadium significantly lags behind other IPL venues on modern facilities and overall fan experience. Safety and security protocols, fan experience and overall comfort of people, families coming to watch matches at SMS stadium, are paramount to IPL and are non-negotiable,” the BCCI source said.
That statement leaves little room for misreading. The BCCI wants standards to rise, not stay the same.
There is still hope that both sides can find a middle ground before the season kicks off. The IPL is too big an event to let administrative disputes overshadow the cricket. Jaipur has a passionate fanbase that deserves to watch their team play at home. But the RSSC needs to take the safety audit seriously rather than brushing it aside. RR’s concern for fan safety is reasonable, and the BCCI’s push for better infrastructure is long overdue. Getting this right matters more than rushing to release a schedule.
