CHENNAI: Chennai has become the second most expensive place to watch IPL this season. With Chennai Super Kings returning to the fold after a two-year ban, there is growing excitement in the city to catch Dhoni & Co in action. If you are among those eager to watch the stars in flesh at MA Chidambaram Stadium, you will have to spend a fortune.
CSK released ticket prices on Saturday and the cheapest is Rs 1,300, which is Rs 300 more than the cheapest ticket for last year’s ODI between India and Australia at the same venue. The last time Chepauk hosted IPL in 2015, the lowest price of tickets was Rs 750. However, what they are charging this year is less than what their arch-rivals Royal Challengers Bangalore have decided. The cheapest ticket in Bengaluru will cost Rs 1,700.
Though Chepauk has a capacity of around 38,000, only 6,000 tickets will be available for the public, with the sponsors taking the rest. Three stands — I, J, K — with 12,000 seats remain closed for safety reasons.
CSK’s return has already created a lot of buzz and even their practice sessions last week attracted thousands. Though this could be seen as a reason for the hike in ticket costs, what has led to this surge is the tax fans have to pay.
The minimum price of tickets still remains J750, but 28% GST and 25% entertainment tax push it to Rs 1,300. Other tickets cost Rs 2,500. Rs 4,500, Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,500. This is the first time that the cheapest IPL ticket in the city has crossed four figures.
Minimum cost of IPL tickets
Rs1,700
Bengaluru
Rs1,300
Chennai
Rs800
Mumbai
Rs750
Delhi
Rs500
Hyderabad
Rs500
Mohali
Rs400
Kolkata
Rs400
Jaipur