In Bengaluru, a stampede during the IPL victory celebrations for RCB at Chinnaswamy Stadium led to the unfortunate deaths of 11 fans, overshadowing the team's historic win. While this incident is not the most lethal, it adds to a troubling history of crowd disasters in sports. Below are five significant events that have marked this grim narrative.

This disaster unfolded during the final moments of a UEFA Cup match between FC Spartak Moscow and HFC Haarlem at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, previously known as Lenin Stadium. Due to severe cold and snow, only one exit, Staircase 1, was available for spectators. The Soviet Union faced accusations of downplaying the death toll, with official reports stating 66 fatalities, while other sources suggest the number exceeded 300. The cause remains debated, with theories ranging from a lost shoe triggering the chaos to police actions against fans.

During the European Cup final between Juventus and Liverpool at Heysel Stadium in Brussels, crowd unrest led to tragedy. The stadium's deteriorating condition, including crumbling terraces and inadequate safety measures, had been flagged in prior inspections but ignored. Tensions escalated as Liverpool fans charged at Juventus supporters, resulting in a wall collapse that crushed many, primarily Italians. Following this incident, English clubs faced a five-year ban from European competitions.

The Hillsborough disaster occurred during an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, claiming the lives of 97 Liverpool fans due to overcrowding. This incident remains the deadliest in British sports history and led to extensive investigations, including the Taylor Report, which highlighted severe failures in police crowd management and stadium design. Subsequent inquests concluded in 2016 determined that the deaths resulted from unlawful killing, attributing responsibility to South Yorkshire Police.

On May 9, 2001, a Ghana Premier League match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko turned disastrous. Following two late goals by Hearts, Kotoko fans reacted violently, leading police to deploy tear gas into the stands. This action incited panic as spectators rushed for exits, many of which were locked. The resulting crush claimed 126 lives, primarily due to asphyxiation, and left hundreds injured. This day is now remembered as May 9 Disaster Day.

One of the most tragic stadium disasters in recent memory occurred on October 1, 2022, at Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang, Indonesia, during a match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya. Following the home team's defeat, fans rioted, prompting police to use tear gas in the crowded stands, which led to mass panic. As supporters attempted to flee through limited and partially locked exits, a deadly stampede ensued, resulting in approximately 130 fatalities. In response, the Indonesian Football Association temporarily suspended all domestic league matches and committed to reforms aimed at enhancing stadium safety and crowd management.