The newly implemented rate will go into effect on September 22, 2025, making tickets for all of India’s forthcoming home matches, as well as those for the IPL, more expensive for spectators.
While base prices may remain unchanged, entertainment service rates will rise. It is worth noting that the GST is in addition to the entertainment tax on similar services, which is currently at 25%.
While the majority of the public is pleased with the reduction in tax rates on a wide range of goods and services in India, there is bad news for cricket lovers who enjoy watching matches from stadiums. Match tickets will now attract a hefty 40% GST (Goods and Services Tax), up by 12 points from the previous slab of 28%, when the Indian government adopted GenNext GST in the evening of Wednesday, September 3.
For example, if a Chennai Super Kings match ticket costs INR 1000, a 25% entertainment tax (rates as applicable in Tamil Nadu) would raise the cost to INR 1250 (1000 + 25%), and this amount would be further increased by a 40% GST, bringing the total cost to the customer to INR 1750 (1250 + 40%). However, the story does not end there, since tickets ordered online through companies such as Bookmyshow and District may incur a convenience fee, potentially increasing the cost by nearly double the original fare.
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.
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