BENGALURU: Eighty-four days after a stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL 2025 title celebrations, the franchise has announced financial assistance of ₹25 lakh each to the bereaved families.
The tragic incident occurred on June 4, just a day after RCB lifted their maiden IPL trophy with a thrilling six-run win over Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad. Jubilant celebrations in Bengaluru quickly turned into chaos as thousands gathered outside the stadium, leading to a deadly stampede that also left more than 50 people injured.
In a statement posted on social media, RCB 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. No amount of support can fill the space they’ve left behind. But as a first step, RCB has extended ₹25 lakh each to their families — not just as financial aid, but as a promise of compassion, unity, and ongoing care.”
The franchise also announced the launch of ‘RCB Cares’, a long-term initiative aimed at supporting families of victims and aiding the injured. “Every step forward will reflect what the fans feel, expect, and deserve,” the statement added.
However, the move comes after weeks of criticism directed at RCB for its delayed response. While the Karnataka government held the franchise responsible for the lapses that led to the tragedy, RCB’s brief condolence message at the time was soon overshadowed by its prolonged silence, fuelling anger among grieving families and fans.
For many, the late announcement of aid appears less like an act of compassion and more like damage control. Yet, for those who lost loved ones, it marks at least the beginning of acknowledgment from a team they had celebrated only hours before the tragedy struck.
