If you’ve ever wondered why your favorite IPL team sometimes plays in cities other than their home base, there’s actually a practical reason behind it. Cricket stadiums need maintenance, and sometimes teams spread their matches across multiple venues to balance schedules and manage stadium availability.
This year, Rajasthan Royals has agreed to host four of their home matches in Jaipur while moving three games to Guwahati. This arrangement shows how the IPL manages its sprawling tournament across India’s diverse geography.
What This Means for Fans
Jaipur, the traditional home of Rajasthan Royals, will still get the majority of matches. But the shift toward Guwahati opens up the tournament to cricket enthusiasts in the Northeast, a region that doesn’t always get to host premium cricket events.
For Rajasthan fans traveling to watch their team, most matches will still be in familiar territory. However, some supporters may need to plan trips to Assam if they want to catch all seven home games of the Royals this season.
Guwahati, meanwhile, becomes part of the IPL’s expanding footprint. The city’s stadium gets to host elite cricket, bringing jobs, tourism, and cricket excitement to the Northeast.
Why Teams Split Home Games
The IPL operates across two months with ten teams playing 70 matches total. This creates a logistics puzzle—stadiums need time for groundwork, pitch maintenance, and facility upgrades between matches.
By using multiple venues, the league ensures pitches stay in top condition and stadiums don’t get overused. It’s like how a restaurant gives its kitchen staff breaks during the day, rather than cooking non-stop.
For franchises like Rajasthan Royals, having flexibility with venues also helps manage travel costs and accommodation for their teams and staff. Using nearby facilities across states makes practical sense.
The IPL’s expansion to secondary cities like Guwahati also aligns with the league’s goal to grow cricket’s reach beyond the metros. More cities hosting matches means more Indians getting live cricket experiences.
This split arrangement—four games in Jaipur, three in Guwahati—seems to be the IPL’s way of balancing tradition with growth. Rajasthan keeps most home advantage in their original city while newer cricket hubs get opportunities.
As the IPL continues evolving, expect to see more teams playing home games across multiple cities. It’s a win-win: stadiums stay well-maintained, regional cricket develops, and fans across India get chances to watch world-class cricket live.