RCB Commemorates Stampede Victims in IPL 2026 Opener

RCB to Honour Stampede Victims in IPL Opener

In a heartfelt tribute, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will don black armbands during their opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at M Chinnaswamy Stadium this Saturday. This gesture is to remember the fans who tragically lost their lives in a stampede that occurred outside the stadium following the team's historic title victory last year.

An official statement from RCB expressed, "Royal Challengers Bengaluru will pay tribute to the eleven members of the RCB family who tragically lost their lives in the unfortunate incident on June 4." It further noted that players will wear practice jerseys featuring the number 11 during warm-ups, followed by the black armbands during the match. Additionally, eleven seats at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will remain vacant as a permanent memorial to the fans whose steadfast support will always be cherished by the RCB family.

The stampede resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals, with many others sustaining injuries during the celebration outside the stadium.

M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Reopens for IPL 2026 After Safety Overhaul

Cricket activities at M Chinnaswamy Stadium had been halted since June 2025, following the tragic stampede during RCB's IPL title celebration, which led to 11 fatalities and numerous injuries. Consequently, several major events, including the ICC Women's ODI World Cup and the KSCA Maharaja Trophy league, were relocated due to safety concerns, and the stadium missed out on hosting any T20 World Cup matches this year.

In February, the Karnataka cabinet approved the hosting of IPL matches at the venue after recommendations from a government-appointed expert committee.

Safety Upgrades and Final Approval

In March, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) secured permission from Home Minister G Parmeshwara to hold IPL 2026 matches, including playoffs and finals, at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. KSCA, represented by Vice President Sujit Somsundar, completed all phase one safety and infrastructure enhancements as advised by various departments, including police, PWD, fire services, and medical authorities. These upgrades included widening gates, improving exit areas, and establishing medical emergency protocols. An expert committee led by Maheshwar Rao inspected the stadium and approved the safety measures.

Thanks to these improvements, the stadium is now cleared to host matches at full capacity, accommodating 33,000 spectators.