On June 4, 2025, what was meant to be a joyous celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title ended in a heartbreaking tragedy. The RCB roadshow outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru attracted an overwhelming crowd, resulting in a fatal stampede that claimed 11 lives and injured over 50 people. The incident has cast a dark shadow over what should have been a historic moment for the franchise.
Former Indian cricketer and current national team head coach Gautam Gambhir publicly condemned the organizers for allowing the RCB celebration to proceed without proper safety measures. Gambhir stressed that public safety should always come before fanfare and accused those involved of serious negligence in crowd management and risk assessment.
The roadshow, held in honor of RCB’s championship victory, was originally scheduled for the afternoon but was delayed until evening. By then, thousands of fans had crowded around the venue, many without entry passes. Eyewitnesses reported that the situation spiraled out of control as fans surged forward, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite RCB stars.
In the aftermath of the stampede, Karnataka Police arrested four individuals, including RCB’s marketing head and three officials from the contracted event management firm. Authorities have filed an FIR citing criminal negligence, and two senior police officers have been suspended for their failure to implement adequate crowd control measures during the RCB event.
To address the tragedy, the Karnataka government announced a compensation package of ₹10 lakh for the families of those who died. All medical expenses for the injured are being covered by the state. The government has also pledged to review and strengthen regulations for future events involving major teams like RCB.
The incident has triggered a nationwide debate about event safety and the responsibilities of sports franchises. As one of the most followed teams in the league, RCB draws massive fan support, and this tragedy has highlighted the urgent need for more rigorous planning and accountability during such large-scale public gatherings.
Ultimately, the celebrations marking RCB’s maiden title win have turned into a period of mourning. As investigations continue and public criticism intensifies, all eyes remain on RCB and its management to respond not just with words, but with meaningful changes to ensure that fan enthusiasm never again results in such a devastating loss.