INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE (IPL) franchises have formally approached the Government of India, seeking a reconsideration of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) treatment applied to IPL match tickets. Their central demand: classify IPL matches as sporting events rather than entertainment, which would significantly reduce the tax burden on tickets and align the league with international cricket fixtures.
According to a report in The Economic Times, IPL teams have urged the Finance Ministry to treat IPL matches as sporting events, not entertainment, reduce GST on tickets from 40% to 18%, and bring IPL in line with international cricket matches organised by the BCCI, which are taxed at lower rates.
At present, IPL tickets attract a 40% GST rate, placing them in the highest tax bracket typically reserved for luxury or entertainment categories such as betting or casinos. This rate was introduced as part of GST reforms in 2025. Previously, IPL tickets were taxed at 28%, already higher than many other sporting events. Franchises argue that this classification is inconsistent with how cricket is otherwise treated in India’s tax framework. The 18% GST slab is typically applied to standard services and many sporting activities, making it the benchmark for parity.
Franchises contend that the current classification is flawed because IPL is fundamentally a professional sporting competition, not just entertainment and that the higher tax rate penalises fans and reduces accessibility. The government currently views IPL as a commercial entertainment product, which explains the higher tax slab.
