IPL tickets to get costlier after Government levies 40% GST

Indian cricket fans, who love turning up for IPL matches across the country, will have to shell out more for tickets next season with government raising the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on admission to these games from 28% to 40%.

According to a Ministry of Finance release issued late on Wednesday (September 3, 2025), “Admission to casinos, race clubs, any place having casinos or race clubs or sporting events like IPL will have GST of 40% with ITC (Input Tax Credit).

An IPL ticket with a base price ₹500 before GST till last season would ultimately cost ₹640 with GST levied at 28%. However, during the 2026 edition, the same ticket will now cost ₹700 after imposition of 40% GST.

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This is because IPL tickets have been classified in the ‘Luxury Goods’ category.

However, India’s international games have been classified under other sporting events and would invite a lesser GST of 18% on tickets priced above ₹500.

Any tickets priced below ₹500 will be exempted from GST.

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The rule states: “Admission to other sporting events including recognised sporting events where the ticket price is not more than `500 continues to be exempt, and if the ticket price is more than Rs. 500, it continues to be taxed at the standard rate of 18 per cent.”

As far as IPL is concerned, the ticketing is not controlled by the BCCI and every franchise decides the rates at their respective home grounds.

However, it must be mentioned that ticket sales revenue is the smallest chunk in their profit variable.