IPL 2026: RCB Pays Tribute To Stampede Victims By Leaving 11 Seats Empty At Chinnaswamy Stadium

Cricket fans are once again excited because the iconic IPL season is back! This year, RCB’s home games at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will be different. Last year, a tragic stampede during RCB’s first title celebrations claimed 11 lives. We still can’t get over it, and neither can Bengaluru. M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will have 11 empty seats forever. Read on to know more!

RCB To Keep Seats Empty At M. Chinnaswamy Stadium

Last year, in a Bengaluru stampede, 11 people lost their lives. According to NDTV, this year, RCB CEO Rajesh Menon shared that 11 seats at the stadium will remain empty forever to remember the fans who died on June 4, 2025. In a statement, Menon said, “These 11 fans will always be with us.”

Not only this, but RCB team members will also wear the number 11 on their jerseys. On match days, they will wear black armbands to show respect for the deceased. Menon clarified that the number 11 will appear during practice, not official games, as a symbolic gesture of remembrance.

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Stampede Outside The Stadium

In 2025, RCB won its first IPL trophy. To celebrate the team win massive crowds gathered outside the famous M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for celebrations. NDTV reported that around 3 lakh people had come to celebrate, which resulted in severe overcrowding. Unfortunately, the situation worsened, leading to 11 deaths and over 50 peoples injured.

Following the incident, the Karnataka government held RCB, the Karnataka State Cricket Association, and event organisers responsible for not securing the necessary approvals and for failing to manage the crowd. In response, RCB announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the family of each fan who passed away.

Now, with government approval, RCB will play five matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium this season. Safety measures have been strengthened, and Menon explained that the franchise has implemented new precautions.

We offer our condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.

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Cover Image Courtesy: website/ RCB