Watching an Indian Premier League match in the stadium is one of the best sports-viewing experiences for cricket fans in India, with an electric atmosphere and cutthroat matches on display.
While the ticket prices of the matches often started at around ₹500 with added Goods and Services Tax (GST), they are now set to see a hike, which could make it unaffordable for some people.
The IPL is among the high-value sporting events which come under the non-essential or luxury category; hence, taxes have been increased in the revised GST structure.
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Here's how it will affect the match-viewing experience.
How will the revised GST rates affect IPL ticket prices?
The new GST structure introduced by the Indian Finance Minister saw the 28% tax on tickets increase to 40% -- an increase of 12%.
Below is the breakdown of the prices.
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| Price without taxes (INR) | Old price after GST | New price after GST | Net change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | 640 | 700 | +60 |
| 1000 | 1280 | 1400 | +120 |
| 2000 | 2560 | 2800 | +240 |
| 5000 | 6400 | 7000 | +600 |
While it is yet to be known if the prices without taxes will stay the same or change to prioritize fan experience, fans will likely need to pay a premium to watch their favorite stars live from the venue.
Notably, every venue has a different price range of tickets as per the demand, service provided and view from the respective seats.
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Usually, the North and South ends are among the costly tickets, while the seats behind the square boundaries are relatively cheaper.