New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) — Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Saturday announced that it will provide ₹25 lakh each to the families of the 11 victims who lost their lives in the stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during the team’s IPL 2025 title celebrations on June 4.
In a social media post, the franchise said: “Our hearts broke on June 4, 2025. We lost eleven members of the RCB family. They were part of us, part of what makes our city, our community and our team unique. Their absence will echo in the memories of each one of us. No amount of support can ever fill the space they’ve left behind. But as a first step, and with the deepest respect, RCB has extended ₹25 lakh each to their families — not just as financial aid, but as a promise of compassion, unity, and ongoing care.”
RCB also announced the launch of ‘RCB Cares’, a long-term initiative aimed at honouring the victims’ memory while providing sustained support to affected families and fans.
The tragedy unfolded just a day after RCB lifted their maiden IPL trophy on June 3 with a narrow six-run win over Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad. Jubilant celebrations in Bengaluru turned chaotic on June 4 when overcrowding outside the stadium triggered a stampede, leaving 11 dead and more than 50 injured.
In the aftermath, the Karnataka government held RCB responsible for the lapses in crowd management. The franchise faced sharp criticism for issuing only a brief condolence message before maintaining silence for nearly three months, a move that many supporters described as indifference.
Now, 84 days later, RCB’s announcement has been seen by some as overdue damage control, though the franchise insists it marks the beginning of a genuine commitment to community care.
