RCB will face SRH in the IPL 2026 tournament opener on March 28 in Bengaluru.
June 4, 2025, will now be remembered less for RCB’s IPL 2025 trophy win celebration and more for the 11 lives lost in the stampede that happened outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium. RCB’s celebrations had continued inside, while their fans fought for their lives as the frenzy to get inside to get a glimpse of Virat Kohli and co. turned deadly.
As the reigning champions, RCB begin their title defense at home, and both the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and the Bengaluru-based franchise have implemented measures to respect the memories of the young victims, one of whom is 14 years old.
Ahead of the IPL 2026 opening game on March 28 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the KSCA will unveil a memorial plaque near the inner entrance of the stadium, close to the mural.
Furthermore, 11 stadium seats will be set aside forever in remembrance of the deceased as an additional gesture. No matches, including international ones, will have these tickets available. It is anticipated that the seats will be grouped together in a prime stand, making it possible to cordon off the area out of respect.
Before the IPL 2026 opening game begins on March 28, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will also lead tributes. There will be a minute of silence once the names of the victims are shown inside the stadium. It is anticipated that the visiting team would participate as well.
“It is painful to even think about the tragic incident. But 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,” KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad confirmed to the Times of India.
On the seats being marked, Prasad refused to divulge information and said, “It’s a joint decision between the KSCA and the franchise since they are an integral part of the Chinnaswamy Stadium.”
M Chinnaswamy Stadium was banned from hosting domestic or international matches after the event and lost out on hosting the Women’s World Cup matches. Even in IPL 2026, Bengaluru will host only five RCB matches, while the other two home games will be held in Raipur.