Watching the Indian Premier League (IPL) from the venue is set to become more expensive for fans after the Central government increased the Good and Services (GST) tax on IPL tickets.

With the tax rate applicable on IPL tickets increasing from 28 per cent to 40 per cent, a ticket with a base price of Rs. 1000 is now going to cost Rs. 1400, instead of Rs. 1280. The 40 per cent tax bracket, applicable to ‘sin goods’ and luxury items, represents the highest slab in the current GST framework.

However, attending international cricket matches could become cheaper under the newly revised GST regime. Tickets to international cricket matches in India also attracted 28 per cent GST, like the IPL, but that tax slab has been abolished.

A Press Information Bureau (PIB) release states that while 40 per cent GST is applicable to ‘sporting events like the IPL’, the rate doesn’t apply to ‘admission to recognized sporting events’, a category that attracts 18 per cent GST if the ticket price is more than Rs. 500.

The changes in GST rates will come into effect from September 22.

Published on Sep 04, 2025