IPL 2024: Cricket and pets, an irresistible experience curated by RCB

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have never shied away from taking the extra step to curate a perfect fan experience at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. RCB’s in-stadium experience and innovations have always been a talking point among fans.

In a first for a cricket match in India, RCB has prepared a dedicated area for fans who can come and watch the match with their pet dogs, taking their fan experience to the next level. Rightly christened, ‘Dog Out’ zone, the area offers pet parents and their furry companions a perfect, fun filled experience.

The Dog Out isn’t completely a new initiative, as it was introduced as a one-off experiment in 2019. However, given the response, the feature is now permanent at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The Dog Out has comfortable seating areas for both the pets and the pet parents. Rajesh Menon, the vice-president and head of RCB, said the experience was added as they did not want RCB fans to miss out on matches due to their pets. “We’re delighted to have a Dog Out zone at our home ground, providing pet parents with the opportunity to share unforgettable moments with their furry companions. Many fans used to miss out on the excitement of watching RCB play as they were confined to home, tending to their pets during matches, but now they can come to the stadium and watch cricket with their pets without any inconvenience,” he said, in a statement, issued by RCB.

A feature in the special zone is its inclusivity—welcoming dogs of all breeds, provided they can behave independently and are not too small or afflicted by any medical conditions. The pet parents have also been provided with food and water bowls for their pets during the matches.