US EditionWhy RCB Players Are Wearing Black Armbands in IPL 2026 Opener Against SRH
RCB players and franchise pay tribute to 11 fans who died in a 2025 stampede with black armbands, empty seats, and a memorial plaque at IPL 2026 opener.
- On Saturday, March 28, 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru hosted Sunrisers Hyderabad for the IPL 2026 opener at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, with players wearing black armbands to honor 11 fans who died in a 2025 stampede.
- Eleven lives were lost on June 4, 2025, when a stampede occurred in Bengaluru during victory celebrations due to overcrowding and insufficient safety measures.
- RCB CEO Rajesh Menon confirmed multiple tributes: reserving 11 seats permanently, players wearing jersey number 11 during warm-ups, and observing a one-minute silence before the match.
- Following necessary safety changes, authorities permitted cricket to return to the stadium this season, lifting the suspension previously imposed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India .
- Only five home matches will be played at the Chinnaswamy this season, and organizers held no opening ceremony to maintain the somber tone of the tributes.
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India Today
IPLT20NEWS.comRCB pays tribute to stampede victims with one-minute silence before IPL 2026 opener
Royal Challengers Bengaluru observed a moment of silence before their IPL 2026 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad, paying tribute to the 11 fans who died in last year’s crowd crush during the franchise’s title celebrations.
Why are RCB players wearing black armbands in IPL 2026 opener vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru paid tribute to 11 deceased fans in IPL 2026 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Players wore black armbands, used “11” jerseys in warm-ups, reserved seats, and observed a minute's silence in Bengaluru.
RCB, SRH Players Observe One Minute Silence in Honour of Stampede Victims Ahead of IPL 2026 Opener | 🏏 LatestLY
The tribute occurred moments before the IPL 2026 opening delivery, honouring the 11 fans killed in a stampede at the venue last June. 🏏 RCB, SRH Players Observe One Minute Silence in Honour of Stampede Victims Ahead of IPL 2026 Opener.
RCB Players To Wear Black Armbands During IPL 2026 Opener Against SRH. Here's Why
The RCB team will wear black armbands during their IPL campaign opener against SRH at M Chinnaswamy Stadium to pay tribute to fans who tragically lost their lives in the stampede outside the venue following team's historic title win last year.
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