BCCI Scraps IPL 2026 Opening Ceremony to Honor Bengaluru Stampede Victims
IPL 2026 will kick off on March 28 without its traditional opening ceremony, as the BCCI decided to skip the event out of respect for the 11 victims of last year’s Bengaluru stampede.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said: “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 June 4, 2025.”
A memorial plaque has been placed at Chinnaswamy Stadium’s inner entrance in memory of the victims, while a grand closing ceremony is planned for the final on May 31 instead.
Tickets for the RCB vs SRH opener sold out in just four minutes — fan fervour intact, tone respectfully muted.