One year after 11 people lost their lives during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory celebration in Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the Bengaluru stadium is all set for the Indian Premier League (IPL) opener, set to be held on March 28 (Saturday). However, this year, a section of the stadium will be kept empty in memory of those 11 fans who died in a stampede in June 2025.
The tragedy happened during the celebration parade, which was planned on June 4 last year, claiming the lives of 11 people. ]
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and the franchise jointly decided that 11 seats in a prominent stand have been retired from public sale and will never be occupied ever again.
2025 RCB Stampede
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) celebrated their first IPL trophy victory, but the joy turned to sorrow when a stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium resulted in 11 deaths and numerous injuries. Following this tragic incident, RCB acknowledged their silence over the past 84 days as a period of grief.
RCB stated that the silence did not mean absence but was one about grief. They shared a post saying that it was a teaser for RCB Cares, an initiative undertaken by the franchise, which would award Rs 10 lakh to the family of the deceased.
Bengaluru Gears Up For 2026 IPL Opener
This year, the safety measures have been heightened following last year’s stampede tragedy, which claimed the lives of 11 people. The authorities have put stringent measures in place to avoid any such situation.
The first of two mandatory mock drills was conducted at Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday (March 23), lasting a few hours. The authorities also reviewed logistical aspects, including the stadium’s limited internal parking capacity of 30 cars and the designated VIP drop-off zones.
Moreover, this year, 80 per cent of tickets will be sold online, while only 20 per cent will be available through offline counters. Additionally, tickets will be released three days before each match, with an aim to manage surging demand.
