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| ipl ticket copy and cricket ground in this pic |
" The GST Council has raised tax on IPL tickets to 40%. Find out how much extra you’ll pay compared to international cricket matches. "
New Delhi : Cricket fans across India will soon feel
a pinch in their wallets as the cost of watching the Indian Premier League
(IPL) live from stadiums is set to rise. The government has revised the Goods
and Services Tax (GST) rate on IPL match tickets, moving them into the “luxury
category” and increasing the applicable tax to 40% from the earlier 28%.
This revision was confirmed through a late-night
notification from the Ministry of Finance, and the new rates will come into
effect from the 2026 IPL season. IPL Ticket Prices to Rise as GST on
Sports Events Increased to 40%
WHAT THE NEW GST SLAB MEANS FOR IPL TICKETS
Until now, fans buying a ₹500 IPL ticket had to pay ₹640
including 28% GST. With the new 40% slab, the same ticket will now cost ₹700,
making it costlier for spectators.
For higher-priced tickets, the difference is even more
noticeable. For example:
- A ₹1,000
ticket, which earlier came to ₹1,280, will now cost ₹1,400.
- A ₹2,000
ticket, which previously amounted to ₹2,560, will go up to ₹2,800.
This increase reflects the government’s decision to treat
IPL match passes as luxury entertainment, similar to casinos, race clubs,
and high-end recreational activities.
WHY IPL TICKETS ARE TREATED DIFFERENTLY
According to the government’s circular, entry to IPL
games will now attract 40% GST along with Input Tax Credit (ITC) eligibility.
The reasoning is that IPL is a commercial sporting event that falls under
premium entertainment rather than general sports promotion.
By contrast, international cricket matches in India are
not affected by this hike. Those fixtures continue to be categorized under
standard sporting activities, which means the GST rate remains 18% on
tickets priced above ₹500, while cheaper tickets are completely exempt
from GST.
COUNCIL MEETING THAT FINALIZED THE CHANGE
The decision to increase the GST slab for IPL tickets was
taken on September 13 during a GST Council meeting chaired by Finance
Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi.
The council’s resolution clarified that while general
sporting events would continue to enjoy lower taxation, IPL and similar
franchise-based tournaments would face higher levies due to their
classification as luxury events.
IMPACT ON FANS AND FRANCHISES
The move is likely to have a mixed impact. On one hand, the
government will gain higher tax revenue from one of India’s most
commercially successful sporting leagues. On the other hand, stadium
attendance may take a hit as families and young fans could reconsider
paying the increased ticket prices.
Franchise owners, who usually set ticket pricing for home
matches, will now have to rework their pricing models while factoring in
the higher GST. Some industry experts believe teams may try to absorb part of
the cost to keep stadiums full, while others argue that the demand for IPL is
strong enough that fans will continue to pay the premium.
A CLOSER LOOK : WHY ONLY IPL?
The classification of IPL under luxury events has sparked
debate. Critics argue that cricket is India’s most loved sport and should be
encouraged, not made more expensive for common fans. Supporters of the
decision, however, highlight that IPL is not just a sporting competition but
also a commercial spectacle that includes entertainment, celebrities, and
high-end sponsorships — putting it in a different bracket compared to
international fixtures or domestic tournaments.
HOW THIS AFFECTS TICKET TIERS
To understand the real-world implications, here’s a
breakdown of typical ticket categories under the new GST regime:
- Low-tier
tickets (₹500 range): Will now cross ₹700, making them less affordable
for students and middle-class families.
- Mid-tier
tickets (₹1,000–₹2,000 range): Expect an increase of ₹120 to ₹240
compared to the last season.
- Premium
seats (₹5,000 and above): With 40% GST, the jump is substantial. For
instance, a ₹5,000 ticket that earlier cost ₹6,400 will now touch ₹7,000.
This shows that while casual fans are affected, the luxury
seating categories — which already cater to affluent audiences — will see the
sharpest increase in actual rupee terms.
INTERNATIONAL MATCHES REMAIN AFFORDABLE
In contrast, India’s bilateral international matches remain
under the lower tax slab. If a fan purchases a ₹1,000 ticket for a Test or ODI
match, the final price remains ₹1,180 instead of ₹1,400 for IPL.
Similarly, any ticket below ₹500 for these matches stays GST-free.
This exemption is aimed at promoting mainstream sports and
ensuring that international cricket continues to attract fans from all walks of
life.
SUMMARY : A COSTLY SUMMER AHEAD FOR IPL FANS
With the 2026 IPL season approaching, the excitement among
cricket lovers will once again be sky-high. However, fans planning to watch
their favorite franchises live inside stadiums will need to budget more
for tickets.
The new 40% GST classification places IPL in the same
bracket as luxury entertainment, making it costlier than other cricket
formats. While the league’s entertainment value is undeniable, the tax hike
raises important questions about accessibility and whether the IPL experience
will slowly drift away from being a festival for all and become an event mainly
for those who can afford premium pricing.
For now, one thing is clear: watching IPL from the stands
is set to be a pricier affair from 2026 onwards.
IPL T20 | Indian Premier League Official Website
