The revised Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates are set to impact cricket as well. Fans will now have to spend more to watch matches live in stadiums. In a key meeting chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the GST Council decided to increase the tax rate on IPL tickets. This change will take effect from the IPL 2026 season.

For instance, if you buy a ticket worth ₹1000, earlier you had to pay a total of ₹1280 with 28% GST. Under the new rates, the same ticket will cost ₹1400, which is ₹120 more. Similarly, a ₹2000 ticket will now attract ₹800 GST, making the total price ₹2800.

If organizers do not offer any concessions on ticket prices, there could be a decline in stadium attendance. While cricket in India is worshipped like a religion and fans celebrate the IPL like a festival, the increased costs may affect spectators.

However, there is no change for national and international matches. Tickets priced up to ₹500 will remain exempt from GST, and those above ₹500 will continue to attract 18% GST as before.