Bengaluru Bursts into Celebration as RCB Lifts First IPL Trophy
- After 18 years, Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their first-ever IPL title with a thrilling six-run win over Punjab Kings.
- Bengaluru erupted in celebration, with packed pubs, community screenings, and fans worldwide joining the festivities.
- The victory united the city and RCB’s global fanbase, turning the night into a memorable festival of joy and togetherness.
After 18 years of heartbreak and near-misses, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally lifted their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy on Tuesday night, igniting celebrations across Bengaluru and among fans worldwide. The six-run victory over Punjab Kings at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium marked a historic moment, culminating an emotional journey for millions of loyal supporters.
As the clock struck 11:23 pm, Bengaluru transformed into a sea of red and gold. From bustling pubs to residential neighborhoods, the city erupted in cheers, with fans waving flags, honking horns, and chanting the popular rallying cry, 'Ee sala cup namde' (This time, the cup is ours). The jubilation was not limited to the city alone; RCB’s global fanbase, spanning from Bidar in Karnataka to Boston in the United States, joined the celebrations, according to The Times of India.
Communities came together for live screenings of the nail-biting final, strengthening bonds beyond cricket. In Indiranagar, Ashwini Ramaswamy, a long-time RCB supporter, fondly recalled watching matches during exam nights back in high school. Meanwhile, Adi Sharma from Malleswaram described how his family treated the final like a festival, donning team jerseys and gathering around the television as if celebrating Ugadi, the regional New Year.
Apartment complexes became vibrant hubs of excitement, with societies like Prestige Tranquility home to 2,300 flats organizing large-scale community screenings. “Today is a big day for RCB. Residents requested a common screening and we were happy to make it happen. It’s not just about cricket; it’s about coming together as a community”, said Balaji Natarajan, the society secretary.
The city’s nightlife rivalled New Year’s Eve revelry. Popular venues such as Long Boat Brewing in Marathahalli were fully booked by Monday morning, accommodating over 1,000 guests. “We’ve never been booked like this for a Tuesday,” said Co-owner Vinay Chandrashekar. Similarly, Impressario’s 11 Social outlets across Bengaluru were packed to capacity, turning away walk-ins by afternoon.
Even multiplexes capitalized on the excitement, with PVR and Inox reporting a 92 percent occupancy rate in Bengaluru and 46 shows selling out. Nationwide, over 25,000 tickets were sold for more than 150 screenings of the final. “It was heartening to see fans coming together to celebrate one of India’s most electrifying sporting moments”, said PVR CEO Gautam Dutta.
RCB’s long-awaited triumph not only fulfilled a dream for the team but also united an entire city and a passionate global fanbase in celebration.
