RCB to Wear Jersey No. 11 in Practice Sessions to Honour Stampede Victims. Royal Challengers Bengaluru have announced a heartfelt tribute ahead of IPL 2026. The franchise will honour the 11 victims of last year’s tragic stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium. The incident happened during celebrations after RCB’s historic IPL title win in 2025. It left the cricketing world shocked and deeply saddened.
RCB have now planned a special gesture to remember those fans. Players will wear jersey number 11 during practice sessions on match days. This number represents the 11 lives lost in the tragic incident. It will be visible during training before every game this season.
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Tribute Limited to Practice Sessions
The tribute will not continue during actual IPL matches. Players will return to their original jersey numbers during games. The franchise intends to comply with IPL rules during official matches. At the same time, they want to honour fans respectfully. RCB officials said the tribute is for their loyal supporters. They called fans the team’s true strength.
The idea is to remember the victims in a calm environment. Practice sessions offer a quiet moment for reflection. Reports also suggest players may wear black armbands during matches. This will add another mark of respect on match days. The tribute has already received emotional reactions from fans online. Many supporters have appreciated this thoughtful gesture by RCB.
More Plans to Honour the Victims
RCB are planning more initiatives to remember the victims this season. The team may keep 11 seats empty inside the stadium. These empty seats will act as a permanent reminder of the tragedy. A memorial plaque is also expected to be installed at the venue. This will give fans a place to pay their respects. The franchise wants to ensure the victims are never forgotten.
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The stampede remains one of the darkest moments in RCB’s history. It changed the mood of what was meant to be a joyful celebration. RCB will begin their IPL 2026 campaign in Bengaluru. The tribute will be visible from their opening home game. This gesture shows the strong bond between the team and its fans. RCB aim to move forward while remembering those they lost.