IPL 2026: The BCCI will be skipping the opening ceremony of the upcoming season of the IPL as a tribute to the 11 victims of the tragic stampede in Bengaluru last year. The season will begin with Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium on 28th March, without any celebrations beforehand. However, according to the Times of India, the governing council will conclude the tournament with a grand closing ceremony on 31st May. As highlighted in their statement, "Due to last year's tragic incident on June 4, there will be no formal function on the day of the start of IPL-2026 (in Bengaluru). 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."
Unlike the subdued start, both the BCCI and the IPL governing council will focus on a grand entertainment function during the closing ceremony before the summit clash on 31st May.
For context, last year’s opening ceremony took place at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, featuring performances by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, singers Shreya Ghoshal and Karan Aujla, and a dance act by Disha Patani.
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Turning to franchise ownership, the Aditya Birla-led consortium acquired the Bengaluru-based team for Rs 16,660 crore. The leader shared satisfaction at seeing his Rs 450 crore investment appreciate considerably over the past few years.
Bolt Ventures and Blackstone's perpetual private equity strategy (BXPE, Blackstone) are also members of this consortium. Their involvement has helped make the team one of the costliest franchises in tournament history.
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Under the new ownership structure, Aryaman Vikram Birla, director of the Aditya Birla Group, will serve as chairman, while Times Internet's Satyam Gajwani will serve as vice chairman. Other consortium members include David Blitzer, founder of Bolt Ventures, and Viral Patel, CEO of BXPE.