Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Honour Stampede Victims at IPL 2026

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will honour the victims of a tragic stampede by keeping 11 seats vacant at their M Chinnaswamy Stadium during the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This decision comes in remembrance of the supporters who lost their lives during celebrations after RCB’s historic win in June of the previous year. RCB's Chief Executive Officer, Rajesh Menon, stated, “This is a tribute to our fans, who will always remain a part of our journey.”

The unfortunate incident occurred when eleven fans, aged between 14 and 29, died following a stampede outside the stadium on the day after RCB clinched their first IPL title. In addition to those who lost their lives, more than 50 other individuals sustained injuries during the chaos.

The 2026 IPL season is set to commence this Saturday, with RCB facing Sunrisers Hyderabad in a home match. The team, featuring star batsman Virat Kohli, will engage in warm-up activities donning jerseys that display the number 11 and will wear black armbands in remembrance of the victims.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, local authorities deemed the venue unsafe due to identified structural and crowd management issues, leading to the relocation of major matches. However, earlier this month, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that the M Chinnaswamy Stadium would once again host games, including RCB's home encounters.

Rajesh Menon indicated that measures pertaining to crowd management have been drastically improved at the venue. Notably, the installation of artificial intelligence-guided cameras is anticipated to enhance safety. Menon elaborated on this upgrade, stating, “This system provides real-time alerts, including stand-specific crowd counts, to ensure better monitoring and control.”

The stampede occurred during a homecoming parade following RCB’s final match against Punjab Kings, where throngs of fans gathered to celebrate Kohli and his team’s historic championship. The investigation into the incident led to questioning several individuals, including a senior executive from RCB and officials from the event organisers, DNA, alongside representatives from the Karnataka State Cricket Association. No convictions have been made to date.