Bengaluru, March 24: The IPL 2026 season is set to kick off on March 28. The opening match will feature the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) facing off against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. In a heartfelt gesture, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has taken significant steps to honor the victims of last year’s tragic stampede.
KSCA and RCB have jointly decided to reserve 11 seats at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in memory of those who lost their lives in the incident. These seats will remain empty during every match and event, whether it be an IPL game or an international fixture. Additionally, a memorial plaque will be installed near the stadium entrance, providing a serene space for visitors to remember the victims.
Sources revealed, “We will place a memorial plaque at the entrance and reserve 11 seats in memory of those who perished in the stampede. I cannot share more details at this moment, but we will provide further information during the press conference scheduled for Tuesday evening.”
It is noteworthy that RCB ended an 18-year title drought by winning the IPL 2025 championship. To celebrate this victory, RCB organized an event at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, a large crowd outside the stadium led to a stampede, resulting in the loss of 11 lives and injuries to over 50 others.
The Karnataka government held RCB, KSCA, and other event partners responsible for the tragedy. In response, RCB announced a compensation of ₹25 lakh for the families of the deceased. Since the incident, no matches have been held at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. With government approval, RCB will return to play at their home ground in IPL 2026, hosting a total of five matches this season, while two home games will be played in Raipur.
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