Our Bureau
Bengaluru
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has spent nearly Rs 7 crore to boost crowd safety at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. This comes after a sad stampede last year that killed 11 fans during IPL victory celebrations on June 4, 2025. RCB CEO Rajesh Menon shared these steps at a pre-season press meet.
Menon said the money went into new tools like baggage scanners and command centres. They added AI-powered CCTV cameras inside the stadium, concourses, and nearby areas. A system called Jarvis gives real-time alerts on crowd numbers in each stand.
These cameras link to the city police commissioner’s office for quick checks. RCB followed all rules from the Karnataka government and High Court. “We worked fast since June to meet safety standards,” Menon added.
New rules change how fans enter and exit. Gates open four hours early. Ticket holders get free metro rides, and parking must be booked ahead. Entry points are redesigned to cut rush.
RCB and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) now share event duties. KSCA leads organising, with clear plans for emergencies and victory events. This differs from before, when RCB handled it alone.
The IPL champions play five home games at Chinnaswamy, starting Saturday against Sunrisers Hyderabad. They skipped the popular ‘Unbox’ fan event to focus on safe match days.
Menon thanked the government for support. Fans can look forward to smooth games with better security. RCB aims to keep the stadium safe for its huge crowds.
