Explained: Watching IPL live just got costlier thanks to new GST rules

Cricket fans in India will now have to dig deeper into their pockets to watch IPL matches live, as the government has raised the GST on premium sporting events from 28% to 40%. The sharp increase places IPL tickets in the highest tax bracket, alongside casinos, race clubs, and luxury goods. According to official guidelines, the GST hike applies to "admission to casinos, race clubs, any place having casinos or race clubs, or sporting events like the IPL."

The new rates are part of a broader GST reform targeting high-value discretionary spending and are set to take effect from 22 September 2025. Under the previous structure, a ticket priced at Rs 1,000 attracted 28% GST, taking the total cost to Rs 1,280. With the revised 40% rate, the same ticket will now cost Rs 1,400—a Rs 120 jump for every Rs 1,000 spent, representing a 12% increase in effective cost.

Here is a breakdown of how the GST hike impacts different ticket prices:

• Rs 500 ticket: Rs 700 (up from Rs 640)
• Rs 1,000 ticket: Rs 1,400 (up from Rs 1,280)
• Rs 2,000 ticket: Rs 2,800 (up from Rs 2,560)

The uniform 40% tax applies to all IPL tickets and other high-value sporting events, treating them as non-essential or luxury entertainment. While the GST Council framed the hike as part of revenue alignment, it effectively distinguishes grassroots-level sporting events from high-profile commercial tournaments.

For IPL attendees, the increased GST adds to the overall cost of match tickets, which can rise further once stadium service charges and online booking fees are included. While the government has specifically mentioned the IPL, it remains unclear whether other major leagues, such as the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) and Indian Super League (ISL), will also fall under the 40% tax bracket.

Does the new GST slab affect India’s international matches?

Good news for fans of the Indian cricket team—unlike the IPL, international matches are likely to remain unaffected. Tickets for India’s games and other recognised sporting events continue to attract the standard 18% GST, while those priced under Rs 500 remain exempt.

As the cricket calendar heats up, India will first feature in the ACC Asia Cup in the UAE before hosting the West Indies for a two-match Test series starting 2 October 2025.