New Delhi, March 28 -- Defending Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru are wearing black armbands and 11 seats at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will remain unoccupied on Saturday in the IPL 2026 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The decision was taken by the stadium authorities as a mark of respect to the 11 lives lost last year on June 4.

After winning their maiden IPL title in the 2025 season, a stampede occurred during RCB's victory celebrations at the Chinnaswamy stadium, leaving 11 people, including a minor dead. Keeping in mind of what happened last year, the IPL 2026 Opening Ceremony and the RCB Unbox event was also scrapped by the authorities at the Karnataka State Cricket Association.

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