RCB and the KSCA will unveil a memorial plaque at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in memory of the 11 people who lost their lives in the tragic stampede outside the venue last year. Alongside the plaque, 11 seats will remain permanently reserved as a mark of respect.
The names of all victims will appear on display inside the stadium when RCB hosts Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 opener on March 28. A minute of silence before the first ball will set a sombre tone before the season begins.
What Tribute Has Been Planned for the Stampede Victims
The memorial plaque now sits at the inner entrance of the stadium. The 11 reserved seats will not go on sale for any IPL or international match. The area around those seats will remain cordoned off permanently.
KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad confirmed the plaque placement and spoke about the thought behind the decision. He described the incident as painful to even think about.
Prasad said the managing committee and key stakeholders collectively felt it was important to honour the memory of those who lost their lives. He stressed the intent is not to rekindle pain but to ensure the fans are remembered.
The names of all 11 victims will also appear on display inside the stadium during the opening match. A minute of silence before the first ball will set a sombre tone before the season begins.
Safety Preparations Ahead of IPL 2026 at Chinnaswamy
The venue hosted a mock safety drill on Monday to test preparedness for public events. A larger drill involving around 500 volunteers is scheduled for Thursday. The exercise will replicate a full match day experience to identify and address any potential gaps.
A Karnataka government-appointed Expert Committee cleared the stadium to host IPL matches last week. The committee reviewed all safety, security, and operational arrangements before approving.
RCB Home Matches at M Chinnaswamy in IPL 2026
| Match | Opponent | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Match 1 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | March 28 |
| Match 2 | Chennai Super Kings | April 5 |
RCB will play five of their seven home games at Chinnaswamy this season. The remaining two home fixtures will take place at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium in Raipur. The franchise enters the season as defending champions with the weight of a title defence and the responsibility of honouring those who were lost during last year’s celebrations.
