RCB’s Historic Victory Turns Tragic: 11 Dead in Stampede at IPL 2025 Celebration

What began as a historic celebration for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and its fans turned into a national tragedy on June 4, 2025. Following RCB’s maiden IPL title win, a massive crowd gathered outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to participate in the team’s victory parade. Unfortunately, due to poor crowd control and misinformation about free passes being distributed at Gate No. 7, a stampede broke out, claiming the lives of 11 people and injuring over 30.

Witnesses reported that the rush intensified suddenly when sections of the crowd tried to push through the entry gates, leading to chaos and suffocation. The local administration and emergency services struggled to manage the overwhelming crowd of more than two lakh fans.

Virat Kohli, the heartbeat of RCB and a key figure in their championship run, expressed his deep grief over the tragedy. In a heartfelt message, he said, “I am at a complete loss for words. This was supposed to be a celebration for all of us. My prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones.”

In response to the tragedy, Royal Challengers Bengaluru announced ₹10 lakh (₹1,000,000) compensation for the families of each deceased individual. Additionally, RCB has set up an “RCB Cares” fund to support those injured in the incident and ensure long-term medical and emotional aid. The franchise stated that no celebration is worth the loss of life and that safety must always be the top priority.

The tragic incident has sparked outrage over poor planning and inadequate safety measures. Several public figures, sports officials, and political leaders have called for an independent inquiry to investigate the lapses and fix accountability.

While RCB’s win will go down in IPL history, so will the grief that overshadowed their celebration. The franchise and the entire cricket community now carry the responsibility of ensuring such an incident is never repeated.