RCB Honors 2025 Stampede Victims with 11 Reserved Seats at Chinnaswamy
RCB Honors 2025 Stampede Victims with 11 Reserved Seats at Chinnaswamy
Ahead of IPL 2026, RCB dedicates 11 unoccupied seats at M. Chinnaswamy and observes a minute's silence for stampede victims.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru marked the IPL 2026 launch with a solemn tribute to the eleven fans who lost their lives in the stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy stadium last year during celebrations after RCB's first IPL title. In a lasting gesture, 11 seats at the venue will remain permanently unoccupied during all IPL and international matches, a physical reminder of the tragedy.
Before the opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, players from both camps observed a one-minute silence, and RCB announced that they will wear black armbands. A statement from the club explained: 'As a mark of respect, eleven seats will stay empty as a lasting tribute to the fans whose support remains part of the RCB family.' During warm-up, players wore practice jerseys bearing the number 11.
Cricket at the Chinnaswamy has been on hold since June 2025 in the wake of the incident, making the tribute even more poignant as the league returns.
Bengaluru won the toss and opted to field in the tournament opener against SRH, which adds an extra layer of emotion to the day. For SRH, Ishan Kishan served as stand‑in captain, becoming the franchise's second-youngest skipper. The teams' Playing XI featured a mix of young talents and established players.
The unoccupied seats and the tributes are meant to acknowledge the lives lost and prompt accountability while the cricketing action resumes on the field.
