A poignant and significant initiative has emerged from the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Ahead of IPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Karnataka State Cricket Association have taken a major decision to ensure that those who lost their lives in a tragic accident last year are remembered forever.
RCB Tribute IPL 2026: 11 Seats Left Empty
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Karnataka State Cricket Association have decided that 11 seats within the stadium will be permanently left vacant. These seats will serve as a tribute to the 11 individuals who lost their lives in a stampede incident in 2025.
Chinnaswamy Stadium Memorial Plan
A memorial plaque will be installed at the stadium’s entrance gate. Before every match, the names of the victims will be displayed, and a minute of silence will be observed, in which both participating teams will take part.
Bengaluru Stampede 2025 Incident
On June 4, 2025, a stampede broke out outside the stadium during celebrations marking RCB’s first-ever IPL trophy victory, resulting in the deaths of 11 people. This decision has been taken in the wake of that incident to ensure that their memory endures forever.
Inspired by the Hillsborough Memorial
This memorial will be modeled after England’s Hillsborough Memorial, which pays tribute to the fans who lost their lives in the 1989 tragedy.
Approval Granted for IPL 2026 Matches in Bengaluru
The Karnataka government has now granted approval for matches to resume at the stadium. The opening match of IPL 2026—between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad—is scheduled to be played at this very venue on March 28.
