BCCI Implements Strict Guidelines After Bengaluru Stampede During RCB Victory Celebration

In the wake of the tragic stampede at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a set of strict guidelines for post-victory celebrations. The decision comes after the incident on June 4, where 11 people lost their lives during Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) celebration of their maiden IPL title.

RCB ended their 17-year title drought by defeating Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 final held in Ahmedabad on June 3. However, the joy quickly turned to mourning the next day, when an uncontrolled crowd surged during a public celebration, resulting in a stampede that claimed multiple lives and injured several others.

Responding to the tragedy, the BCCI has swiftly moved to formulate new safety protocols aimed at ensuring that such events in the future are better managed and do not compromise the safety of fans, players, or staff.

Key Points of BCCI’s New Guidelines:

1. No Immediate Celebrations:

   • Victory celebrations cannot be held within 3–4 days of the tournament win to avoid rushed planning and crowd mismanagement.

2. Delay in Granting Permissions:

   • No automatic or urgent permissions will be granted for large-scale celebrations immediately after a win.

3. Mandatory Written Approval from BCCI:

   • Any public event organized in the name of a team must have prior written approval from the BCCI.

4. Multi-Level Security Mandatory:

   • A minimum of 4–5 layers of security is required at all celebration venues.

5. Security During Travel:

   • From airport arrivals to event participation, continuous security coverage for players and officials is compulsory.

6. Player & Staff Protection:

   • Security arrangements must ensure the complete safety of team members and staff at every stage.

7. Local Administrative Clearance Required:

   • Events will only proceed after obtaining necessary permissions from the district police, state government, and other law enforcement agencies.

Focus on Safety and Crowd Control

The BCCI has stated that these regulations aim to prioritize public and player safety over spontaneous celebrations. Officials emphasized that the celebrations should be well-planned, controlled, and responsibly executed, minimizing risk to life and property.

This decision has been widely welcomed by fans and experts, especially in light of the recent tragedy, and is expected to set a precedent for future sporting events across India.

Impact and Outlook

With the IPL’s massive popularity and fan base, managing large public gatherings has become increasingly complex. These new measures signal a serious shift in how victory parades and fan engagements will be organized going forward. The BCCI's step is being seen as a proactive and preventive measure to avoid further incidents and uphold the safety standards of Indian cricket.