This is truly heartbreaking what happened around the stampede at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru following RCB’s IPL 2025 victory:
After Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their maiden IPL title by beating Punjab Kings, a large felicitation ceremony was organized at the stadium to honour the players. However, the event drew a massive crowd — over 200,000 fans — to a stadium designed to hold about 35,000, creating dangerous overcrowding.
Due to poor crowd management, a deadly stampede broke out outside the stadium, resulting in the tragic deaths of 11 people and injuries to nearly 50 others. The celebratory event was cut short to just 20 minutes once the incident came to light.
Several eyewitness videos showed chaotic scenes, including police officers helping injured spectators amid the panic. The players and support staff — including captain Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli, head coach Andy Flower, and mentor Dinesh Karthik — were present for the ceremony.
Former RCB and South Africa great AB de Villiers expressed his condolences on social media, sharing his prayers for the victims and their families. The RCB franchise also released an official statement expressing deep sorrow and confirming that the event was immediately altered after the stampede started.
