Bengaluru: After 18 long years of waiting, hope, heartbreak, and unyielding fan loyalty, Bengaluru is all set to welcome its cricketing heroes in style as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) hold a grand victory parade this afternoon to celebrate their maiden IPL title triumph.
The open-top bus parade, slated to begin at 5pm from the steps of Vidhana Soudha, will wind through Bengaluru’s bustling Central Business District and conclude at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium by 6 PM, with players holding the gleaming IPL trophy aloft. The event is expected to draw lakhs of RCB fans, turning the city’s arterial stretches into a red-and-black carnival.
According to city police, extensive traffic restrictions will be in place along Queen’s Road, MG Road, and Cubbon Park stretches, with over 1,500 police personnel deployed to ensure public safety and smooth movement.
While Ahmedabad witnessed the on-field fireworks on Tuesday as RCB edged past Punjab Kings in a tense six-run victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium, it is Bengaluru that will erupt in colour, chants, and emotion as fans gather to witness a dream fulfilled.
The official RCB X handle announced: “NAMMA BENGALURU, we’re bringing the trophy home! Join us today for the Victory Parade and let’s paint the city red!”
Addressing fans after the final, Virat Kohli — who has been the face of the franchise since its inception — said the trophy belonged to every RCB supporter. “This win is for the fans. You’ve stood by us for 18 years, and this moment is as much yours as ours,” he said, holding back tears.
Kohli also personally invited franchise legends AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle to join the celebrations in Bengaluru. While de Villiers responded with “Let me check my flight options”, Gayle posted a video message saying, “Bengaluru, I’m coming home!”
RCB’s campaign in IPL 2025 saw a late surge after a shaky start. Sparkling performances from Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt, and Kohli himself propelled them to the playoffs, before a memorable final saw the team defend 190 in high-pressure circumstances, with Josh Hazlewood holding his nerve at the death.
Patidar, who led the side in parts of the season, was the top-scorer in the final, while Hazlewood and Krunal Pandya played pivotal roles with the ball.
Tuesday night celebrations had already turned the city into a festival zone. Indiranagar, Brigade Road, Koramangala, and Church Street witnessed fans dancing on the streets, setting off fireworks, waving giant flags, and chanting “Ee Sala Cup Namde” (This year, the cup is ours) — the slogan that had become a rallying cry over the years.
Pubs, bars, and cafes with live screenings turned into spontaneous victory zones. In viral footage shared online, strangers were seen hugging, crying, and celebrating with drumbeats and dhols. Traffic came to a standstill in many areas as fans poured onto roads on bikes, in cars, and on foot.
Authorities have urged citizens to use public transport wherever possible and to avoid bringing vehicles to the parade route. Emergency medical teams, quick response squads, and fire and rescue units are also stationed along the route.
As Bengaluru braces for its moment in the sun, the mood across the city is unmistakable — it’s not just a parade, it’s a promise fulfilled.
