Due to the change in the GST structure, IPL tickets have now come in the highest GST slab along with luxury goods, racetracks and casinos.
Watching the Indian Premier League has become even more expensive after the new GST framework announced on Wednesday, April 3. Under the new framework that will come into effect from September 22, 2025, tickets for matches will now be taxed at 40% instead of 28%.
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As a result of this massive increase, cricket fans across the country will see a huge hike in prices. The massive increase in GST means that IPL tickets will now fall in the highest tax bracket along with casinos and luxury goods.
The move is a part of the wider reforms announced by the government on Wednesday. Earlier, if an IPL ticket was priced at Rs 1000, fans had to pay Rs 1280 with GST. However, now the same ticket will cost Rs 1400 – an increase of Rs 120 due to the GST reforms.
IPL ticket price under new GST structure
A ₹500 ticket will now cost ₹700 instead of ₹640, an increase of ₹60
A ₹1,000 ticket will now cost ₹1,400 instead of ₹1,280, an increase of ₹120
A ₹2,000 ticket will now cost ₹2,800 instead of ₹2,560, an increase of ₹240
Interestingly, this hike will only apply to high-value tournaments like the IPL and other commercial sports leagues. Tickets for regular domestic and international cricket matches will continue to attract 18% GST, making them far more affordable for ordinary fans.
Meanwhile, these reforms have brought relief to cinema lovers as cinema tickets up to Rs 100 will now attract only 5 per cent GST. Earlier it was 12 per cent. However, the rate will remain at 18 per cent for cinema tickets priced above Rs 100.
Though the government has specifically mentioned the IPL, it remains to be seen if the same GST changes will apply to competitions like the Pro Kabaddi League and the Indian Super League.
The decision, however, has sparked a debate among fans and analysts. While the government is touting the move as a revenue-boosting reform, cricket lovers argue that it will restrict the access of general spectators to the stadium.
