RCB to Wear Black Armbands in IPL 2026 Opener to Honor Fans Lost in 2025 Stampede
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team will wear black armbands during their IPL 2026 campaign opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to pay tribute to fans who tragically lost their lives in a stampede following the team’s historic title win last year.
In a statement, RCB confirmed, “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 team added that players will wear practice jerseys bearing the number 11 during warm-ups and black armbands during the match. Additionally, eleven seats at the stadium will remain unoccupied as a permanent tribute to the fans, reflecting the team’s ongoing respect and remembrance.
The stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in June 2025 claimed 11 lives and injured several others during celebrations of RCB’s IPL title. In the aftermath, cricket activities at the stadium were suspended, and major tournaments—including the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup and the KSCA Maharaja Trophy—were relocated due to safety concerns. The stadium also did not host any T20 World Cup matches this year.
Following recommendations from a government-appointed expert committee, the Karnataka cabinet approved the resumption of IPL matches at the venue in February 2026. In March, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) secured permission from Home Minister G. Parmeshwara to host IPL matches, including playoffs and finals, at full capacity (33,000 spectators).
The KSCA, represented by Vice President Sujit Somsundar, completed all phase one safety and infrastructure improvements suggested by the police, PWD, fire, and medical authorities. These included widening gates, enhancing exit areas, and setting up emergency medical facilities. An expert committee led by Maheshwar Rao inspected the stadium and approved the measures, ensuring that matches could proceed safely for players and fans alike.
The upcoming IPL opener is expected to be an emotional occasion, honoring the memory of those lost while marking the return of high-profile cricket to Bengaluru under strengthened safety measures.
