Nearly three months after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden IPL title win ended in tragedy, the franchise has returned to social media, unveiling a new initiative to assist affected fans and their families.
On June 3, 2025, RCB fans celebrated as the team clinched its first-ever Indian Premier League trophy after 18 long seasons. But joy turned to sorrow a day later when a massive stampede occurred outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during the team’s victory parade, leaving 11 fans dead and dozens injured.
Following the incident, RCB announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the deceased and promised support for those injured. The franchise also committed to creating a platform for continued assistance, an effort that has now taken shape as ‘RCB Cares.’
‘The silence was grief’
In its first post since June 4, RCB acknowledged the long absence, explaining it as a period of mourning and reflection.
“The Silence wasn’t Absence. It was Grief,” the team wrote in an emotional statement on Thursday. “That day broke our hearts, and the silence since then has been our way of holding space. In that silence, we’ve been grieving, listening, learning… That’s how RCB Cares came to life.”
The initiative aims to “honour, heal, and stand beside fans” through community-driven programs. More details are expected in the coming days.
Matches moved out of Bengaluru
The fallout from the incident has extended beyond the victory parade. The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has been barred from hosting competitive matches until further notice. The Maharaja T20 Trophy was shifted to Mysuru, while Bengaluru also lost hosting rights for the Women’s ODI World Cup, with fixtures relocated to Navi Mumbai.
RCB’s return to public discourse marks the beginning of what it calls a renewed commitment to fan safety and welfare. “We return to this space today, not with celebration but with care,” the statement concluded.
