Bengaluru: As the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru prepare to launch their IPL 2026 campaign at home, a solemn atmosphere hangs over the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

In a joint initiative, the franchise and the Karnataka State Cricket Association will honour the 11 fans who lost their lives in a tragic stampede outside the venue on June 4, 2025.

The incident occurred during massive celebrations following the maiden IPL title win for RCB, where an estimated crowd of over 300,000 led to severe overcrowding and a fatal crush. In the wake of the tragedy, which also left more than 50 injured, the Karnataka government held the organizers accountable for lapses in crowd management and safety approvals.

Permanent Tributes at Chinnaswamy

Ahead of the opening clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad this Saturday, officials will unveil a memorial plaque near the inner entrance of the stadium. Similar to the Hillsborough Memorial at Anfield, Liverpool, this space is intended to offer a permanent area for reflection and remembrance within the heart of Karnataka cricket.

In a significant gesture of respect, 11 seats inside a premier stand of the stadium will be permanently reserved. These seats will remain unoccupied during all events, including IPL matches and international fixtures, serving as a quiet zone for memory.

Match Day Honors

On the day of the season opener, the tributes will include a formal ceremony for the memorial epitaph near the stadium mural. The names of the 11 victims will be displayed on the stadium screens as part of a Roll of Honour. Furthermore, a minute of silence will be observed before play begins, with both RCB and the visiting Sunrisers Hyderabad expected to participate in the act of remembrance.

Confirming the plans, KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad said, "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 honour 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."