IPL match tickets to get costlier with GST hike to 40 per cent, good news for Test cricket fans

While the majority of the country is happy with the slash in tax rates over a plethora of goods and services in India, there is bad news for cricket fans who love to watch matches from the stadium. For match goers, the tickets will now attract a hefty 40 per cent GST (Goods and Services Tax), which is up by 12 points from the previous slab of 28 per cent, after the Indian government introduced GenNext GST in the evening of Wednesday, September 3.

The newly-implied rate will come in effect from September 22, 2025 meaning that the tickets for all of India's matches in the upcoming home season, as well as those for the Indian Premier League will see the tickets getting costlier for the fans. While the base tariffs may remain the same, the increase in the rates for entertainment services. It is worth mentioning that the GST is in addition to the entertainment tax on services related thereto, currently applicable at 25 per cent.

For example, if a Chennai Super Kings' match ticket carries a base tariff of INR 1000, a 25 per cent entertainment tax (rates as applicable in Tamil Nadu) would take the cost to INR 1250 (1000 + 25%) and this amount would further attract a GST at 40 per cent, aggregating in the final cost to the customer for a whopping INR 1750 (1250 + 40%). However, the story does not end here, as tickets booked online through platforms like Bookmyshow and District also charge a convenience fee, which could take the cost to almost double the base tariff.

India vs Pakistan Asia Cup tickets go on sale today

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India vs Pakistan Asia Cup tickets go on sale today

Lower base tariffs bring relief to fans

It is however to be noted that the ticket prices will see a hike only when the base tariff is at least INR 500. As a result, if the base tariffs are below INR 500, which usually is a norm for a few stands at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad and Ekana Stadium, Lucknow for the IPL games there, the move will actually give a relief to the fans, as GST will be applicable only at 18 per cent, down from 28 per cent.

To cite a situation, if the base tariff for a ticket is INR 400, then the entertainment tax will be 20 per cent (varies by state, but in Gujarat, the rate is as mentioned), the price will go up to INR 480, and further attract a GST at 18 per cent, taking the final price to INR 566.40 and after a convenience fee, if applicable, the tickets could be bagged for as low as INR 650, as against at least INR 700 previously in the given situation, as GST would be charged at 28%.

This will be helpful for fans watching Test matches across the country, since the day-wise tickets to the matches at a famous venue like Wankhede Stadium costs as low as INR 125. In Bengaluru, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium costs at least INR 150 for a day of Test cricket action. To conclude, the move by the Indian government has had a dual effect, depending on the ticket prices. The fans are expected to watch matches regardless, as the public in the cricket-crazy nation finds their watching their favourite teams play worth any money.