During the IPL 2026 opener on March 28 between host Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, 11 empty seats were observed. RCB left 2011 seats vacant as a tribute to the 11 individuals who lost their lives in a stampede at the team’s victory celebrations outside the stadium. (A screenshot from RCB’s video on X.) The empty seats sparked surprise, since tickets for RCB home matches are typically in high demand, rendering vacant spots very rare. For those unaware, these empty seats represent the 11 lives lost in a stampede last year during RCB’s victory parade outside the stadium. Former Indian cricketer and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president Venkatesh Prasad announced on March 25 that the state board would leave 11 seats vacant at all IPL and international matches as a tribute. Prasad noted that a special prayer was conducted to honor the RCB fans who died in the incident. “A special prayer was held at the KSCA to pay homage to the lives we lost and to assure their families that we care for them.” “We will leave 11 seats empty and unsold, regardless of whether it’s for IPL or international matches,” Prasad told ANI. RCB also shared a video on X prior to the match, conveying the same message. They also announced that all players will wear the number 11 on their jerseys and a black armband during the match against SRH, as a tribute to the 11 fans who tragically lost their lives in last year’s incident. The video was captioned: “In memory of our 11 beloved fans.” Forever etched into Chinnaswamy, eternally part of our RCB family. Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated that the KSCA has erected a memorial at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to honor the 11 individuals who lost their lives there. “An incident occurred at this exact location where 11 young people died,” he said.
