11 Empty Seats Forever: RCB and KSCA Honor Stampede Victims Before IPL 2026 Opener
Some moments in sport leave marks that last longer than any trophy. Before IPL 2026 begins on March 28 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB and the Karnataka State Cricket Association will do something cricket has rarely seen — permanently reserve 11 seats inside the ground, empty forever, in memory of the 11 fans who lost their lives in the tragic June 4, 2025 crowd crush during RCB’s title celebrations. A memorial plaque will also be unveiled near the stadium’s inner entrance before the first ball is bowled against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
What Happened on June 4, 2025
To understand why this memorial matters so deeply, it is important to go back to that evening. RCB had just beaten Punjab Kings by 6 runs in the IPL 2025 final to win their first-ever IPL title. The joy across Bengaluru was unlike anything the city had seen in cricket. Fans poured in from across Karnataka and beyond to celebrate at Chinnaswamy.
The crowd crush occurred during the team’s felicitation event outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Eleven people were killed and 56 others were injured as overcrowding outside the venue spiralled beyond control, with approximately 250,000 to 300,000 fans gathering around a stadium that holds only around 35,000.
The victims ranged from teenagers to young adults. Among those who lost their lives were Bhoomik (21), Sahana (19), Chinmayi (19), Dewanshi (13), Shravan (20), Prajwal (20), Shivalingaiah (17), Poornachandra (32), Devi (29), Manoj (33), and Akshatha. A 13-year-old girl was among the youngest to lose her life that evening.
The Karnataka government held RCB, KSCA, and event partners responsible for not obtaining the required approvals and for failing to make adequate crowd management arrangements. RCB subsequently announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the families of each deceased individual.
| Stampede Facts | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | June 4, 2025 |
| Location | Outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Lives Lost | 11 |
| Injured | 56 plus |
| Crowd Present | Approximately 250,000 to 300,000 |
| Stadium Capacity | Around 35,000 |
The Memorial: What RCB and KSCA Are Doing
Before the opening match against SRH on March 28, KSCA officials will unveil a memorial plaque near the stadium’s inner entrance to provide a dedicated space for reflection. Additionally, 11 seats within the stadium will be permanently reserved in memory of the victims and will remain empty during all events held at the venue, including international matches.
On match days, RCB will lead tributes before the start of play. The names of the victims will be displayed inside the stadium, followed by a minute’s silence, with the visiting team also expected to join in the remembrance.
KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad, a former India fast bowler himself, spoke about the decision with genuine emotion. He said they do not want to rekindle pain but to remember — to place an epitaph for cricket fans whose lives were cut short too soon. It was described as a joint decision between KSCA and RCB, reflecting the shared responsibility both organisations carry for what happened that evening.
RCB Return to Chinnaswamy With Strict New Safety Guidelines
RCB are set to return to Chinnaswamy for IPL 2026 after receiving clearance from the Karnataka government, but things will be very different this time. A strict new set of safety guidelines has been put in place to prevent any repeat of the tragedy.
The key changes at Chinnaswamy for IPL 2026 include:
- Reduced crowd capacity per match compared to previous seasons
- Strict ticket-only entry with no free passes or social media invitations
- Enhanced police deployment both inside and outside the venue
- Multiple entry and exit gates with proper crowd flow management
- Designated fan zones outside the stadium with controlled access
- Emergency response teams stationed at every major entry point
Chinnaswamy Stadium had not hosted any RCB games since the tragic crowd crush. Now, with government approval, RCB will play five matches at Chinnaswamy this season, while two home games will be held in Raipur.
| RCB Home Game Split | Venue | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | 5 matches |
| Raipur | Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium | 2 matches |
Check the full IPL 2026 match schedule to see all of RCB’s home and away fixtures across the league stage this season.
What This Tribute Means for Indian Cricket
Permanently reserving seats for tragedy victims is not something Indian sport has done before at this scale. Those 11 empty seats will be visible every single time a match is played at Chinnaswamy, whether it is an IPL game, a Ranji Trophy match, or an international fixture. They will serve as a constant, quiet reminder of the cost of poor crowd management and the responsibility every cricket organisation carries toward the fans who show up in love and loyalty.
For every player who walks out at Chinnaswamy from March 28, for every fan who fills the seats around those 11 empty spaces, the weight of that evening will always be there. Follow the RCB squad and fixtures as the defending champions begin their title defence at a ground that means everything and carries a grief no trophy can erase.
FAQs
Why are 11 seats being reserved at Chinnaswamy Stadium?
RCB and KSCA are permanently reserving 11 seats at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in memory of the 11 fans who lost their lives in the crowd crush on June 4, 2025, during RCB’s IPL title celebration event.
What happened in the Chinnaswamy stampede on June 4, 2025?
A crowd crush occurred outside Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB’s victory celebrations after their first-ever IPL title win. Around 250,000 to 300,000 fans had gathered around a venue that holds only 35,000. Eleven people died and over 56 were injured.
What is the memorial plaque at Chinnaswamy?
KSCA will unveil a permanent memorial plaque near the inner entrance of Chinnaswamy Stadium before the IPL 2026 opener on March 28. The plaque honours the 11 victims and creates a dedicated space for remembrance at the venue.
Will the 11 reserved seats ever be sold?
No. The 11 seats are permanently reserved and will remain empty during all events at Chinnaswamy, including IPL matches and international fixtures.
Is Chinnaswamy Stadium safe for IPL 2026?
Yes, RCB received government clearance to return to Chinnaswamy for IPL 2026 with strict new safety guidelines in place, including reduced capacity, ticket-only entry, enhanced police deployment, and improved crowd flow management.
How many home matches will RCB play at Chinnaswamy in IPL 2026?
RCB will play five home matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru and two home matches at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium in Raipur during IPL 2026.
