BENGALURU: By the time the 15th over of Gujarat Titans' innings ended, Bengaluru had effectively made up its mind. With six wickets down and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) tightening their grip on the IPL 2026 final, chants of 'Ee Sala-nu Cup Namde' (the cup is ours this time too) - replacing RCB fans' eternal chant 'Ee Sala Cup Namde' (the cup is ours this time) - rent the air across the city.
Later in the night, when RCB completed the chase to retain the title, the celebrations merely caught up with what the city had begun believing long before the winning runs were scored. While police orders kept large public screenings and roadside celebrations off the city's streets, RCBians simply shifted the party indoors, turning theatres, pubs, and homes into their own mini-stadia.
Fan Gatherings at Theatres and Pubs
At a PVR screening at Forum South Bengaluru on Kanakapura Road, hundreds of supporters watched the final unfold as though they were inside the stadium. Abhishek R, 27, who attended with friends, said the collective experience was what drew them out. 'Watching an RCB match with friends has a different vibe altogether. We wanted the crowd atmosphere and the shared excitement,' he said.
For many supporters, the occasion was about more than another cricket trophy. 'RCB is not just a cricket team for me, it is pure emotion,' said Kiran Ramesh, a fan from Kanakapura Road. 'Winning back-to-back titles shows the attitude and consistency of this team. It feels like a victory for everyone who stayed with the franchise through every season.'
Pubs across the city reported full houses. With restrictions on large public screenings in place, licensed venues became focal points for fans seeking a community experience. Sid Patil, owner of Toca Pub, said all reservations across his three outlets were booked well in advance.
Home Celebrations and Social Media Frenzy
Many others preferred to celebrate from home. In Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Vasupratha KR hosted friends for a watch party. As the match tilted decisively in RCB's favour, cheers grew louder and conversations shifted from possibilities to plans for celebration. 'We were enjoying every moment and hoping to see the team bring the cup home. Once the wickets kept falling, everyone knew something special was unfolding,' she said.
The mood online mirrored the scenes on the ground. Even before the final result was confirmed, social media platforms were flooded with congratulatory posts. Fans revived old slogans, coined new ones, and shared photographs in RCB jerseys. One user suggested the famous slogan had now evolved from 'Ee Sala Cup Namde' to 'Prati Sala Cup Namde' (the cup is ours every time), reflecting the confidence of the fanbase. Anticipating large post-match gatherings, traffic police had imposed restrictions on several major flyovers and increased deployment at key locations.
For years, Bengaluru watched IPL with hope. On Sunday, it watched with expectation. And long before the final run was scored, the city knew which way the match - and the trophy - was headed.
Political Reaction
CM-elect DK Shivakumar Sunday night said shifting of IPL title clash from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad was 'an injustice to thousands of RCB fans' who were deprived of watching the match live on home ground.
