Bad News for Fans as IPL Ticket Prices Reach Record Highs

The Indian Premier League (IPL) began in 2008, following India's victory in the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007. The Indian Premier League soon became one of the growing leagues in the world. Many brands and companies started to grow their brand value with IPL and IPL teams. The motto behind the start of the India Premier League was to adapt to the shortest format of the game. As the years passed, IPL began to grow steadily and become the richest cricket league in the world.
During the Indian Premier League, every cricket fan wants to visit the stadium and cheer for their favourite team. Over the years, the price of IPL tickets has kept increasing, but it's about to get more expensive to see your favourite cricket players in the IPL. The cost of watching the Indian Premier League (IPL) has increased dramatically. Tickets to IPL games and other high-value sporting events will now be subject to a 40% tax, up from 28% previously, under the updated Goods and Services Tax (GST) system, which takes effect on September 22, 2025.

Breaking Down The Rise in IPL Ticket Prices

Cricket fans throughout the country would see a dramatic increase in prices as a result of this change, which places IPL tickets in the highest GST slab, alongside casinos, racing courses, betting services, and luxury products. The new rates, which will take effect on September 22, 2025, are part of a larger GST reform aimed at targeting high-value discretionary expenditures. A ticket costing ₹1,000 was subject to 28% GST under the prior system, making the total cost ₹1,280. The same ticket would now cost ₹1,400 at the increased 40% rate, which represents a 12% rise in effective cost and a surge of ₹120 for every ₹1,000 spent.

How does the Hike Affect Ticket Categories?

The new rise in the GST rate on the ticket price affects the cost of the match tickets. Here is how the hike affects the ticket categories:

• A ticket for ₹500 now costs ₹700 rather than ₹640 (an increase of ₹60).
• Previously priced at ₹1,280, a ticket for ₹1,000 now costs ₹1,400 (an increase of ₹120).
• A ₹2,000 ticket now costs ₹2,800 instead of ₹2,560 (an increase of ₹240).

Since IPL tickets and other expensive sporting events are considered luxury or non-essential entertainment, they are subject to the universal 40% tax. It successfully separates high-profile commercial tournaments from grassroots athletic events, despite the GST Council presenting the rise as part of revenue alignment.

When stadium service costs and internet booking fees are taken into account, the total cost of match tickets for IPL spectators may climb even more due to the higher GST. It's unclear if other big leagues, including the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) and Indian Super League (ISL), would also be subject to the 40% tax level, even though the government has expressly highlighted the IPL.

Does the New GST Rates Apply To International Matches?

The good news for Indian cricket supporters is that, unlike the IPL, international matches are unlikely to be impacted. The regular 18% GST is still applied to tickets for India's games and other official athletic events, although those under ₹500 are still free. Before hosting the West Indies for a two-match Test series starting on October 2, 2025, India will participate in the ACC Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates as the cricket season intensifies.

Meanwhile, IPL 2026 is still far away, and before IPL 2026, the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will take place in Sri Lanka and India, where the best cricket teams in the world will compete with each other. However, before the start of IPL 2026, an auction will take place, and teams will make some changes to bring in new talent and energy. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who won their first IPL title in 18 years, will look to defend it. According to reports, MS Dhoni will be playing IPL 2026 with the Chennai Super Kings.