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RCB proposes bold โ‚น4.5 Crore safety push at Chinnaswamy amid IPL 2026 uncertainty

Akshita Patel

RCB suggest safety improvement measures at Chinnaswamy [Source: Charliein2, @RCBTweets/X.com]RCB suggest safety improvement measures at Chinnaswamy [Source: Charliein2, @RCBTweets/X.com]

Defending IPL champions, RCB have made a huge move in enhancing fan safety after proposing the implementation of an advanced AI video analytics system in the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

This comes several months after the stampede incident at the team's IPL 2025 title celebrations, which resulted in 11 deaths. 

RCB propose AI-enabled cameras for crowd control

In a formal communication to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), RCB have proposed the installation of 300 to 350 AI-enabled cameras across the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The franchise has also agreed to shoulder the entire one-time cost of the event, which is approximately โ‚น4.5 crores.

The advanced surveillance system is designed to help authorities manage crowd movement, monitor entry and exit points in real time, ensure disciplined queueing and detect unauthorised access. 

Additionally, the video analytics technology may also indicate potential problems like overcrowding and violence, thus enabling the police to react accordingly. 

RCB have partnered with Staqu, a technology company known for work in public safety and data-driven monitoring. The system will use facial recognition and intelligent tracking of people, objects and vehicles to improve overall stadium security. 

According to the franchise, this technology will significantly enhance fan safety and help prevent situations from spiralling out of control. 

What is the RCB Cares initiative?

The proposal is part of RCBโ€™s wider โ€˜RCB Caresโ€™ initiative, launched after the June 2025 tragedy. Under this programme, the franchise extended โ‚น25 lakh each to the families of the 11 victims. But RCB have repeatedly stressed that the effort goes beyond financial aid. 

RCB Cares focuses on building safe and inclusive environments, improving crowd management systems, investing in independent research on fan safety and training on-ground staff annually. 

RCB Cares has been described by the franchise as a โ€œcommitment to its fans,โ€ who are also commonly referred to as โ€˜12th Man Army.โ€™

The unforgettable stampede that changed everything

The push for AI-driven crowd management follows the devastating crowd crush on June 4, 2025, when thousands of fans gathered outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium to celebrate RCBโ€™s maiden IPL title. 

The chaos erupted at various entry points because of overcrowding, misunderstanding about free entry passes, and travel plans being changed at the last minute. A total of 11 people died, while 56 others were injured.

The incident led to huge criticism and investigations. The Karnataka government ordered a probe, and an FIR was filed against RCB, the event organisers and the KSCA. 

The tragedy also raised serious questions about safety standards at the venue, which was later flagged as โ€œhighly unsafeโ€ for large gatherings. 

Since then, the stadium has not hosted any top-flight cricket, with authorities maintaining a cautious stance on public safety.

Does RCB still want Chinnaswamy as home?

There were also recent reports that RCB were considering moving their IPL 2026 home games to Indore, Raipur or Navi Mumbai on safety grounds.

However, the plan for a large investment in AI surveillance at the Chinnaswamy Stadium holds a hint that the franchise does consider Bengaluru their home base.

By proposing to fund the entire project with a drive for advanced crowd control systems, it is quite clear that RCB are eager to regain confidence at the venue and bring cricket back to their home ground.