The Indian Premier League (IPL) ticket prices are set to rise after the government decided to hike GST from 28 percent to 40 percent. This move puts IPL tickets in the highest tax bracket, alongside casinos and luxury goods. Fans will now have to pay significantly more to watch matches live in stadiums.
Previously, if a ticket was priced at Rs 1000, it cost Rs 1280 with 28 percent GST. With the new rate, the same ticket will cost Rs 1400. That means fans will have to pay Rs 120 more for every Rs 1000 ticket. The steep rise is part of broader reforms announced by the government on Wednesday. According to the official note, the hike applies to “admission to casinos, race clubs, any place having casinos or race clubs, or sporting events like the IPL”.
Higher Costs for IPL Fans
For IPL fans, this hike comes as another burden since ticket prices were already considered high. When stadium charges and online booking charges are added, the final price will climb further. This could make attending live IPL matches costlier for the average cricket fan.
Regular international and domestic cricket matches are expected to remain under the 18 percent GST bracket. The government specifically mentioned IPL in its announcement, creating uncertainty about whether other premium leagues like Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) and Indian Super League (ISL) will face a similar hike.
Other GST Reforms in Entertainment
While IPL fans face higher costs, cinema audiences received some relief in the reforms. Tickets priced up to Rs 100 will now attract just 5 percent GST instead of 12 percent. However, movie tickets costing more than Rs 100 will continue to draw 18 percent GST. This change is expected to benefit smaller theatres and increase footfall for low-cost movie screenings.
Relief for Sports Equipment Buyers
The GST Council also announced positive changes for sports goods. The tax on “gloves specially designed for use in sports” has been reduced from 12 percent to 5 percent. Similarly, “sports goods other than articles and equipment for general physical exercise” will now also be taxed at 5 percent. These reforms aim to make sports equipment more affordable for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
Overall, the decision to raise GST on IPL tickets will likely spark debate among cricket lovers, while reforms in cinema and sports goods bring mixed relief.
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