The Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) International Stadium is a serious candidate to host games if Pune makes a comeback to the Indian Premier League before the 2026 season. The development comes after IPL teams Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru visited recently.
With its state-of-the-art amenities and seating capacity appropriate for major events, the MCA International Stadium in Gahunje has long been considered one of India’s top cricket venues. Pune has not been on the regular site list for the IPL in recent seasons, although having hosted matches in past editions and served as a temporary home for teams.
The Maharashtra Cricket Association thanked RCB and RR for coming to the stadium a few weeks ago in a post on X (previously Twitter). The MCA claims that the teams’ attendance enhanced the venue’s reputation as a leading location for elite cricket matches. Infrastructure, pitch conditions, training facilities, logistics, and general match readiness are all evaluated during these recce trips.
We thank Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals for visiting MCA International Stadium, Gahunje, Pune, a few weeks ago. Their visit highlights the stadium’s readiness to host top-tier cricket.
With BCCI’s continued support to the Maharashtra Cricket Association, we are… pic.twitter.com/v2lhve5uyT
— Maharashtra Cricket Association (@MahaCricket) January 4, 2026
MCA is optimistic about getting permission from the BCCI to host IPL matches.
The MCA is optimistic that they will soon be granted permission by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to host IPL matches. The stadium may soon be approved as a location for future games involving one of the visiting teams, the organisation said, highlighting the BCCI’s backing.
The stadium, nevertheless, has a good record. India, under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, defeated England by 15 runs in a Twenty20 International in January 2025, the last time it hosted an international match. In total, the location has hosted 12 ODIs, 3 Test matches, and 5 T20Is. More recently, it successfully ran the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 knockout stages, including the final, in which Jharkhand won their first championship.
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