So far, only Chennai Super Kings (2010, 2011) and Mumbai Indians (2019, 2020) have managed to win back-to-back IPL titles in 18 seasons of the league. Can RCB join that list this season by going all the way again? Old hand AB de Villiers certainly believes so. If RCB have to win a title again, they will need their talisman Virat Kohli to goo off again like he did in IPL 2025, scoring 657 runs in 15 matches — with half-centuries in eight of those games — at a strike rate of 144.71.
RCB to keep 11 seats permanently vacant during IPL games at Chinnaswamy Stadium to honour stampede victims
IPL 2026 RCB Tickets Price: Royal Challengers Bengaluru players celebrate a wicket in IPL 2025. (Sportzpics)
Nearly ten months after a stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed eleven lives during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) men’s team’s maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title celebrations, the franchise and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) are planning a series of tributes to honour the victims, timed to coincide with the start of the title defence this Saturday.
On June 4, 2025, chaos erupted outside the stadium when thousands of fans gathered for RCB’s celebratory events following their first-ever IPL trophy win. After the stampede and the deaths, the franchise faced widespread criticism for proceeding with celebrations that drew massive crowds without the requisite security clearances.
Speaking to the media Tuesday, RCB chief executive officer (CEO) Rajesh Menon confirmed that all players will wear jersey number 11 during their pre-match practice session on game days throughout the IPL. They will also wear black armbands.
“We are also looking at 11 permanent seats in Chinnaswamy Stadium forever. This is for the 11 fans who will be with us forever,” he added.
