Bengaluru fans celebrate RCB IPL 2026 win before final runs are scored
On May 31, 2026, cricket fans across Bengaluru, including at Kanakapura Road and Rajarajeshwari Nagar, erupted in premature victory celebrations and began performing victory laps before the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) cricket team officially scored the winning runs to retain their IPL title.
While police orders kept large public screenings and roadside celebrations off the city’s streets, local supporters shifted their parties indoors. Theatres, pubs, and apartments across the city were turned into mini-stadia as the chase for the title narrowed into a formality.
At a PVR screening at Forum South Bengaluru on Kanakapura Road, hundreds of supporters gathered to watch the final unfold. Abhishek R, 27, who attended the screening with his friends, said they wanted the crowd atmosphere and shared excitement that came with watching the match together.
For other long-time fans, the back-to-back title win was deeply emotional. Kiran Ramesh, a fan from Kanakapura Road, said that winning consecutive titles showed the consistency of the team and felt like a victory for everyone who stayed with the franchise.
Pubs across Bengaluru also reported full houses. Sid Patil, the owner of Toca Pub, stated that all reservations across his three outlets were booked well in advance as fans sought out a community viewing experience.
Meanwhile, other residents chose to celebrate the match from their homes. In Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Vasupratha KR hosted a watch party for friends. She noted that as the match tilted in RCB's favour and wickets fell, the cheers grew louder and the group began planning their celebrations.
Online, fans flooded social media platforms with congratulatory posts and revived slogans, with some suggesting the famous "Ee Sala Cup Namde" slogan had evolved to "Prati Sala Cup Namde" to reflect the team's sustained success.
In anticipation of large post-match gatherings, the Bengaluru traffic police imposed restrictions on several major flyovers and increased their deployment at key locations across the city. Despite the travel advisories, the celebrations continued throughout the night.
