Mukesh Ambani Rajeev Shukla Narendra Modi. Image Credits: AFP
The Indian Premier League is among the most lucrative sports leagues in the world, with the broadcasters and franchises recording unprecedented revenues with each passing year. The recent multi-billion-dollar sales of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Rajasthan Royals were a testament to the value that IPL carries.
It is widely said that the fans are the biggest stakeholders of any sport. These match-going fans, who wait a whole year to visit stadiums and watch their favourite IPL teams live with family and friends. However, the recent tweaks to the GST slabs have jolted spirits, with a sudden rise in ticket prices, leaving many seats empty.
Raising this issue just weeks into IPL 2026, IPL teams have avoided any conversations with the BCCI about it and have instead contacted Narendra Modi’s central government to seek a relaxation.
Why have the tickets become expensive in IPL 2026?
In a significant development around the IPL at the end of the season 2025, which saw the Royal Challengers Bengaluru win their maiden title, the GST slab on IPL tickets was changed.
Previously, IPL tickets were taxed at a 28 per cent GST rate, but with the introduction of the new 40 per cent GST slab, they have become expensive, while several other sporting events remain in the 18 per cent bracket.
According to the GST restructuring, IPL tickets are included in ‘sin goods and services’, including gambling, betting, casinos and luxury items.
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IPL teams approach the government for GST relaxation
As per the latest development, after seeing some low turn-out of fans in some matches in the first half of the IPL 2026 league phase, IPL franchises have directly approached the central government of India for a resolution on the matter.
The teams argue that the intent behind high tax rates, i.e., was to discourage activities like gambling and betting, which creates a negative social impact. Additionally, the IPL represents an atmosphere of community among fans and families; hence, it should not be considered among the sin goods.
Furthermore, they noted that premium consumption categories like luxury travel and accommodation remain at an 18 per cent GST bracket, implying inconsistency behind the policy.
IPL 2026 off to a flying start
The early days of IPL 2026 have seen some fun contests, especially among the less successful teams in the league's history. After 31 matches played, the top half of the IPL 2026 table has combined 3 IPL titles among themselves, while the bottom 5 have 14 among them.
Last year’s finalists, the Punjab Kings, remain the only unbeaten team in the competition, with 5 wins and a washed-out match and are followed by RCB, SRH and RR at 8 points each. On the other hand, the two most successful teams, MI and CSK, have only won two of their 6 matches so far, and the three-time champions KKR are 10th with only 1 win in 7.
As the league phase approaches its halfway point, several mid-table teams are level on points, looking to break into the playoff spots as the competition gets tougher with games coming thick and fast.
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