11 seats at Chinnaswamy Stadium to remain empty forever: RCB CEO Rajesh Menon
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) CEO Rajesh Menon announced that 11 seats at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will remain permanently empty during all domestic and international games to honor the lives of those who died in the stampede following the team’s title victory last season.
Menon also stated that players will wear jersey number 11 during practice sessions throughout the season and black armbands during all matches of this edition.
“In memory of the 11 fans we lost on June 4, the players will wear jersey number 11 during practice sessions before the match. All players will have number 11 on their jerseys, not for the game itself but for practice. In addition, they will also wear a black armband on match days. We are also planning to keep 11 permanent seats empty at Chinnaswamy Stadium forever. These 11 fans will be with us in spirit always. That’s a quick update on what we are doing this year,” Menon told the media during a press conference on Tuesday.
He further added that several changes have been implemented this season as precautionary measures. Necessary safety steps are being enforced, and discussions will continue regarding additional support for the victims’ families in the future.
On June 4, 2025, a tragic stampede occurred outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB’s victory celebrations. The disaster claimed 11 lives and injured over 50 people due to severe overcrowding, with approximately 300,000 people present.
The Karnataka government held RCB, the Karnataka State Cricket Association, and event partners responsible for not obtaining the required approvals and creating unsafe conditions. The franchise later announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh for each family of the deceased.
Since the tragedy, Chinnaswamy Stadium had not hosted any RCB matches. Now, with government approval, RCB will play five matches at Chinnaswamy this season, while two home games will be held in Raipur, as previously announced.
–IANS
