Centre raises GST to 40%: IPL tickets to get costlier
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New Delhi: Indian cricket fans, who love turning up for IPL matches across the country, will have to shell out more for tickets next season, with the government raising the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on admission to these games from 28 per cent to 40 per cent, PTI reported.
According to a Ministry of Finance release issued late on Wednesday, "Admission to casinos, race clubs, any place having casinos or race clubs or sporting events like IPL will have GST of 40 per cent with ITC (Input Tax Credit)."
An IPL ticket with a base price of Rs 500 before GST till last season would ultimately cost Rs 640 with GST levied at 28 per cent. However, during the 2026 edition, the same ticket will now cost Rs 700 after the government imposed 40 per cent GST.
This is because IPL tickets have been classified as 'Luxury Goods'.
However, India's international games have been classified under other sporting events and would invite a lesser GST of 18 per cent on tickets priced above Rs 500.
Any tickets priced below Rs 500 will be exempted from GST.
The rule states: "Admission to other sporting events, including recognised sporting events where the ticket price is not more than Rs. `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, ticketing is not controlled by the BCCI, and every franchise decides the rates on its respective home grounds.
However, it must be mentioned that ticket sales revenue is the smallest chunk in their profit variable.
