Ahead of IPL 2026, Rajasthan Royals have yet to confirm their home venue due to concerns raised by an independent audit firm. The franchise is seeking an indemnity waiver from the state government to host matches in Jaipur. The BCCI has also expressed worries about venue preparedness, leading to delays in sharing the final IPL schedule with the teams. The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur is RR’s traditional home venue, but safety concerns raised by Tata Projects in a 700-page audit have caused unease. Despite this, the Rajasthan State Sports Council has dismissed most of these concerns, with the BCCI ranking the stadium poorly for fan experience. Following a deadly stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium last year, RR submitted an audit report focusing on fan safety concerns. The RSSC appointed a committee to assess the stadium, concluding that it is fully ready for IPL matches with minor repairs. However, BCCI sources have highlighted deficiencies in safety, structural integrity, and statutory compliance at the SMS Stadium, emphasizing the importance of fan safety and comfort. The reports indicate that the stadium fails to meet minimum safety standards across all parameters.
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