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KSCA Honors 11 Fans Lost in Stampede with Vacant Seats, Memorial

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) will keep 11 seats permanently vacant at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium as a tribute to the fans who died in a stampede after RCB's IPL title win. A memorial has also been installed at the stadium in remembrance of the victims. RCB players will honor the fans by wearing jersey number 11 during warm-ups and black armbands in their first home match of IPL 2026. The state government had constituted a commission to investigate the incident, which submitted recommendations for corrective measures.

Key Points: KSCA Pays Tribute to RCB Fans with Vacant Seats, Memorial

  • 11 seats permanently vacant at M Chinnaswamy Stadium
  • Memorial installed for the victims
  • RCB players to wear jersey number 11 and black armbands
  • Justice D'Cunha commission submitted recommendations
  • Tribute follows criticism of authorities
2 min read

Karnataka Cricket Association pays tributes to fans who lost lives in stampede, 11 seats to be kept vacant

Karnataka Cricket Association honors 11 fans who died in a stampede with 11 permanent vacant seats, a memorial, and tributes from RCB players.

"We are going to keep 11 seats vacant, we will not sell them be it the IPL or international matches. - Venkatesh Prasad"

Bengaluru, March 25

Former Indian cricketer and the Karnataka State Cricket Association president Venkatesh Prasad has said that a special prayer was held to pay homage to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans who lost their lives during a stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium after RCB's maiden title win in the last Indian Premier League season in Bengaluru.

He added that 11 seats will be kept vacant during IPL or international matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium as a mark of respect.

"A special prayer was held to pay homage to the lives that we lost at the KSCA and to tell their families that we care for them. We are going to keep 11 seats vacant, we will not sell them be it the IPL or international matches," Prasad told ANI.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said KSCA has installed a memorial in remembrance of the 11 people who died.

"We had an incident wherein 11 youngsters died in this very spot of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Karnataka government and the cricket association, RCB were criticized, condemned and comments were made on that day. Subsequently government in its wisdom constituted a commission headed by Justice John Michael D'Cunha and he submitted the report to the government making some serious recommendations," he said.

"KSCA have made the corrections we have permitted them to continue playing in this very ground.They have installed a memorial in remembrance of the 11 people who died, I appreciate them," he added.

RCB players will also wear jersey number 11 during the warm-up session ahead of their first home game of the IPL season 2026 and black armbands during the match as a tribute to the 11 fans who lost their lives, Chief Executive Officer Rajesh Menon had said at the franchise's pre-season press conference on Tuesday.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While the tribute is good, the real respect would be ensuring such a stampede never happens again. The Justice D'Cunha commission's recommendations must be implemented fully. Crowd management at our stadiums needs a complete overhaul, not just memorials.
P
Priya S
The jersey number 11 and black armbands during the first home game is a touching detail. It shows the players and management haven't forgotten. As an RCB fan, this makes me emotional. Those 11 souls will forever be part of RCB's first title win. 💔
R
Rohit P
Good move by Venkatesh Prasad and the association. The vacant seats will speak volumes every match. Hope the families find some small solace in this. Also, big respect to the Karnataka Home Minister for acknowledging the corrective steps taken.
K
Karthik V
A tragedy that should have been avoided. The tribute is necessary, but accountability is more important. Were the "serious recommendations" from the commission about policing and barricades actually followed? Fans' safety must be the top priority, not just for IPL but for all public events in India.
N
Nisha Z
This is how you honour your fans. Not just with trophies, but with lasting remembrance. Every time the camera pans to those empty seats, the story will be told. A somber but important legacy for Chinnaswamy Stadium.

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