RCB to Honor Victims of 2025 Tragedy at Chinnaswamy Stadium
RCB and KSCA will honor the 11 lives lost during 2025 IPL celebrations.
Top Summary
- What happened: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) are honoring the 11 victims of a tragic incident outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in June 2025.
- Why it matters: The memorial serves as a lasting tribute to the lives lost during RCB's maiden IPL title celebration and promotes remembrance over pain.
- What changes for people: 11 seats will be permanently reserved in the stadium, and a memorial plaque will be unveiled. Matchday tributes will also take place.
- Who is affected: Families of the victims, RCB fans, the city of Bengaluru, and the cricketing community.
A City Remembers
The city of Bengaluru still remembers June 4, 2025, the date of a tragic incident that resulted in the loss of 11 lives outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL victory.
As the defending champions begin their title defense, both the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and RCB are implementing measures to honour the victims, including a 14-year-old.
Memorial Plaque Unveiling
In the lead-up to the season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday, the KSCA will unveil a memorial plaque near the stadium's inner entrance, close to the mural.
This tribute aims to establish a lasting space for remembrance at the venue.
Reserved Seats and Tributes
11 seats inside the stadium will be permanently reserved in memory of those who died.
These seats will not be sold for any matches, including international fixtures.
The seats are expected to be located together in a premier stand, which will be cordoned off as a mark of respect.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will also lead tributes before the start of play on match day.
The names of the victims will be displayed inside the stadium, followed by a minute’s silence. The visiting team is also expected to join the remembrance.
KSCA President's Statement
KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad confirmed the plans, stating:
"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."
Regarding the marked seats, Prasad stated:
"It’s a joint decision between the KSCA and the franchise since they are an integral part of the Chinnaswamy Stadium."
A Lasting Remembrance
The memorial plaque is envisioned as a point of remembrance, similar to the Hillsborough Memorial at Anfield Stadium.
The Hillsborough Memorial commemorates the 97 Liverpool fans who died following a crush during the FA Cup semifinal on April 15, 1989.
What to Watch Next
Look out for updates after the unveiling of the memorial plaque and the first match. The public will be able to see the tributes and how the reserved seats are integrated into the stadium during future matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium.