IPL Ticket Prices Set to Rise with GST Hike, International Cricket Gets Tax Relief

Watching the Indian Premier League (IPL) live from stadiums is about to become significantly more expensive. The Government of India has announced a steep increase in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on IPL match tickets, raising it from 28% to a hefty 40%. This move places IPL tickets in the country’s highest GST bracket, alongside casinos and race clubs.

As a result, a ticket with a base price of INR 1000 will now cost INR 1400, up from the previous INR 1280. The increase is expected to impact fan attendance and affordability for one of India’s most popular sporting events.

In contrast, international cricket matches in India are set to become more affordable. The government has removed the 28% GST slab that previously applied to these games. The latest circular from the Press Information Bureau mentions the tax hike specifically for "sporting events like the IPL", prompting financial analysts to interpret this as a classification change for other forms of cricket.

Under the new structure, tickets for "recognised sporting events" — a category that may now include international cricket — will attract only 18% GST for tickets priced above INR 500, while those priced under INR 500 will be exempt from GST altogether.

This means that a ticket for an international match with a base price of INR 1000 will now cost INR 1180, down from INR 1280. State-run domestic leagues may also benefit from the new reduced GST slab.

The changes are set to take effect from September 22, just ahead of the Women’s World Cup, the next major international cricket tournament in India. Tickets for the event have not yet gone on sale, but on August 30, the ICC invited fans to register for updates and ticketing information ahead of the tournament opener.

While the IPL now shares tax space with gambling and entertainment venues, international cricket appears to have gained recognition as a more traditional sporting event, deserving of tax relief — a shift that could have broader implications for sports taxation in India.