As defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru prepare to begin their IPL 2026 campaign at home, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), in collaboration with the franchise, will honour the lives lost in last year’s tragic stampede.
Ahead of Saturday’s opening clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, officials will unveil a memorial plaque near the inner entrance of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, creating a dedicated space for reflection. In addition, 11 seats inside the stadium will be permanently reserved in memory of the victims and will remain unoccupied during all events, including international fixtures.
The reserved seating area is expected to be located in a prominent stand, serving as a quiet zone for remembrance.
“We will be unveiling a memorial plaque near the entrance and reserving 11 seats in memory of the victims. Further details will be shared during the press conference later in the day,” sources told IANS.
The move comes in the wake of the tragic stampede on June 4, 2025, outside the stadium during RCB’s title celebrations. The incident claimed 11 lives and left more than 50 people injured, with an estimated crowd of over 300,000 leading to severe overcrowding.
Following the tragedy, the Karnataka government held RCB, KSCA, and event partners accountable for failing to secure necessary approvals and for lapses in crowd management. The franchise later announced a compensation of ₹25 lakh for the families of each victim.
Chinnaswamy Stadium has not hosted an RCB match since the incident. With government approval now in place, the team is set to play five matches at the venue this season, while two home fixtures will be held in Raipur, as previously announced.