RCB Honors Victims as IPL 2026 Kicks Off

As IPL 2026 approaches, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) prepares to defend their title while honoring the memory of 11 victims lost in a tragic incident last season. Players will wear special jerseys and reserve seats at the stadium as a tribute. RCB has also invested significantly in crowd management to ensure safety during the tournament. This season promises to be both a celebration of cricket and a remembrance of those lost.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 24, 2026, 15:27 IST

RCB's Tribute to the Lost Lives

As the IPL 2026 season approaches, all attention is focused on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who are set to defend their title starting March 28 (Saturday). Their campaign will commence against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. However, the memory of last season's triumph is overshadowed by a tragic event during the victory parade, where 11 lives were lost in a stampede outside the stadium. In remembrance of these victims, RCB has planned a heartfelt tribute.

In training sessions leading up to their first match, RCB players will don jerseys featuring the number 11 to honor the deceased. Additionally, the franchise will reserve 11 seats at the Chinnaswamy Stadium throughout IPL 2026 as a gesture of respect. RCB CEO Rajesh Menon expressed, “This is a tribute to our fans, who will always remain a part of our journey.”

Venkatesh Prasad, president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), shared, “It is painful to even think about the tragic incident. We have been discussing the memorial for a while with the managing committee and other major stakeholders and collectively felt it was important to honor the memory of the 11 people. We don’t want to rekindle any pain; instead, remember them. That’s why we decided to place an epitaph of the cricket fans whose lives were cut short tragically.”

Investments in Crowd Management

RCB CEO Rajesh Menon also revealed that the franchise has invested Rs 7 crore in crowd management improvements, including the installation of AI-driven CCTV cameras. “We have significantly strengthened crowd management measures. We have implemented AI-led CCTV solutions across the stadium, including inside, the concourse, and surrounding areas, powered by an AI tool called Jarvis. This system provides real-time alerts, including stand-specific crowd counts, to ensure better monitoring and control. These CCTV feeds will also be accessible to the Commissioner’s office for real-time monitoring,” Menon stated. “We have invested approximately ₹7 crore towards enhancing crowd management infrastructure, including multiple baggage scanners and command centers,” he added.