Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will honour the memory of 11 fans who died in a tragic stampede last year by wearing black armbands during their Indian Premier League (IPL) season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday.

The tribute at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium marks the return of high-profile cricket to the venue, which has been under a cloud of safety concerns since the fatal incident on June 4, 2025. The disaster occurred during victory celebrations following the team's first historic IPL title.

“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,” the franchise said in an official statement.

As part of the ceremonies, players will wear warm-up jerseys featuring the number 11. Additionally, 11 seats within the stadium will remain permanently unoccupied as a "lasting gesture of remembrance" for the supporters.

A Year of Sanctions

The stampede, which resulted in 11 deaths and numerous injuries, led to a total suspension of cricket at the 33,000-capacity ground. Over the past several months, the venue was stripped of major events, including the ICC Women's ODI World Cup and matches for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Even the local KSCA Maharaja Trophy league was relocated at short notice due to the ongoing safety audit.

The path back to hosting matches began in February when a government-appointed expert committee, led by Maheshwar Rao, provided the Karnataka cabinet with a roadmap for reopening.

Safety Overhaul

In March, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) secured formal permission from Home Minister G. Parameshwara to host the 2026 IPL season, including the high-stakes playoffs and finals.

Under the direction of Vice President Sujit Somsundar, the KSCA executed a comprehensive first phase of infrastructure upgrades. These improvements, mandated by police, fire, and medical authorities, included:

  • Widening of entry and exit gates to prevent bottlenecks.
  • Enhanced emergency evacuation routes and expanded medical bays.
  • A revised crowd management plan was approved by the Public Works Department.

Following a final inspection, authorities granted the stadium permission to operate at its full 33,000-spectator capacity.

“This small gift is a symbol of great trust,” the club noted, referring to the enduring bond with their fanbase. “Eleven seats at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will remain unoccupied, serving as a permanent tribute to the fans whose unwavering support will always be a part of the RCB family.”

With inputs from ANI