IPL 2026: Why there is no opening ceremony before RCB vs SRH at Chinnaswamy — BCCI explains decision

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided against holding the Indian Premier League (IPL) opening ceremony at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on 28 March.

The decision comes ahead of the tournament opener between defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

According to The Times of India report, the BCCI’s decision to scrap the opening ceremony was taken as a mark of respect for the 11 lives lost during the Chinnaswamy stampede on 4 June last year.

“Due to last year's tragic incident on 4 June last year, there will be no formal function on the day of the start of IPL-2026 (in Bengaluru). The BCCI is not organising any cultural or entertainment show at the start of IPL-19 as a mark of respect to the departed souls due to that tragedy on 4 June 2025,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told the newspaper.

What happened on 4 June last year?

Following RCB's maiden IPL triumph after beating Punjab Kings in the final in Ahmedabad in 2025, the whole RCB team landed at Bengaluru airport on the morning of 4 June and headed straight to Vidhana Soudha. The players were honoured by Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar and Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot.

By the time RCB players reached the stadium, thousands of supporters had thronged it, creating a stampede-like situation. As a result, 11 people lost their lives, including a minor.

Having said that, the BCCI and IPL Governing Council are planning a Closing Ceremony at the Narendra Modi Stadium on 31 May in Ahmedabad. "The BCCI and the IPL Governing Council are planning a grand entertainment function at the closing of the IPL, on the day of the final (31 May)," he added.

Previously, IPL didn't have Opening Ceremonies in the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 editions. Last year, the likes of Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Disha Patani and singers Shreya Ghoshal and Karan Aujla performed at the IPL 2025 Opening Ceremony at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

RCB to keep 11 seats at Chinnaswamy vacant

Earlier, current RCB CEO Rajesh Menon announced that all players will wear no.11 during training in memory of the 11 lives lost. “In memory of the 11 fans who we lost on 4 June, the players will be wearing jersey number 11 for the practice, on the game day, and on the practice time before the match.

“So all the players will have jersey number 11 on the back, not for the game but for the practice,” Menon told the media. "Apart from that, they will also be wearing a black armband on that day. We are also looking at having 11 permanent seats empty in Chinnaswamy Stadium forever. This is for the 11 fans who will be with us forever,” he added.