As the M Chinnaswamy Stadium prepares to host the first Indian Premier League (IPL) match since last summer’s tragic events, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have announced a series of moving tributes to the 11 fans who lost their lives. In a move that mirrors global sporting tributes such as Liverpool’s Hillsborough Memorial, RCB will permanently reserve 11 seats at the stadium for all future matches. Those seats will remain vacant as a silent tribute to the victims of the June 4th stampede that occurred during the team’s first title celebration.
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As part of the gesture, the players will wear the number 11 jersey during all training sessions this season. A commemorative plaque will also be unveiled near the inside entrance of the stadium, providing a dedicated space for reflection.
The news of the honor was confirmed when Rajesh Menon, CEO of RCB and Mo Babat, the team’s director of cricket, spoke to the press in Bengaluru on Tuesday, March 24.
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium will host the IPL 2026 opener between RCB and SunRisers Hyderabad on Saturday 28 March.
The return of cricket to Bengaluru comes after months of uncertainty and a rigorous approval process by a state-appointed committee of experts. Following the reckless finding by the judicial inquiry, the franchise and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) revised their match day protocols.
Rajesh Menon, CEO, RCB, detailed the extensive security measures now in place: “I would like to thank the Karnataka State Government – CM, DCM, HM, Commissioner and Joint Commissioner. We have SOPs from the Karnataka High Court which we have to follow along with the KSCA, RCB and DNA under the guidance of the Karnataka State Police.”
Key technical innovations include an AI-led CCTV solution with more than 300 cameras. “It can give real-time alerts if there is a queue build-up; it can alert all the police and liaison authorities,” explained Menon. “Based on advice from the police, we have reconfigured all entrances and exits.
FROM EXILE TO RETURN: M CHINNASWAMY STADIUM
After the tragic stampede in June 2025, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium faced a period of isolation as a major cricket venue. The facility was stripped of hosting rights for the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup and the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup after the Justice John Michael D’Cunha Commission called the venue “fundamentally unsafe”.
Acting on the commission’s findings, the state government denied the mandatory police checks required by the ICC, citing inadequate entry/exit points and a lack of emergency planning. To regain its host status, the stadium he went through a demanding rehabilitation process in the High Court of Karnataka. This included the implementation of a strict new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) developed with the Karnataka State Police, the installation of a state-of-the-art AI-driven CCTV system for real-time crowd density alerts and a complete reconfiguration of the stadium’s access points.
Only after these structural and digital security audits were completed did the state allow the venue to resume hosting duties for the 2026 IPL season.
LOGISTICS CHANGES FOR FANS
To avoid the dangerous overcrowding that occurred last year, management switched to a mostly digital ticketing system.
M-tickets: 80 to 90 percent of tickets will be digital, sold exclusively through the official website.
Integrated transport: Every ticket holder gets a free metro ride. “Once fans open their ticket, they can reserve parking at metro stations across Bangalore,” Menon said, stressing that no cars will be allowed near the stadium.
Early Access: Gates will now open four hours before the game to ensure smooth and seamless entry.
RAIPUR AS A SECOND HOME FOR RCB
While Chinnaswamy remains the heart of the franchise, RCB have shifted two home matches to Raipur for the 2026 season. Menon noted that the state government of Chhattisgarh has been proactive in offering slots. Additionally, the much-hyped ‘Unboxing’ event was canceled at Chinnaswamy this year to maintain strict crowd control.
When asked about the lack of public statements regarding internal investigations since the tragedy, Menon remained guarded, citing legal restrictions.
“It’s subordinate. We know what’s going on. We’ve cooperated with all the agencies that have been investigating.”
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Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
March 24, 2026 1:24 PM IST
