Umpire Salary: Whenever a major cricket match takes place, the spotlight is usually on the fours, sixes, wickets, and the players’ multi-crore salaries. But have you ever wondered how much the umpires earn, those who stand on the field for hours under the scorching sun, keeping a sharp eye on every single delivery?
Recently, Anil Chaudhary, a former Indian international umpire who retired from international and IPL duties in 2025, revealed these details in a podcast. Let’s find out how much they are paid for officiating an IPL match versus an international match.
IPL Umpire Fees Per Match: Earn Up to 50 Lakhs a Season
According to Anil Chaudhary, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is highly lucrative not just for the players, but for the umpires as well.
An umpire easily earns between ₹45 lakh and ₹50 lakh on average over the course of an entire IPL season. IPL matches are categorized by stage, and umpire fees are determined accordingly:
IPL Umpire Salary Structure Breakdown (in USD and INR)
| Match Type | Fees Per Match (USD) | Estimated Fees in INR |
|---|---|---|
| League Stage Match | $4,000 | ₹3.30+ Lakh |
| Playoff Match | $6,000 | ₹4.95+ Lakh |
| IPL Final Match | $8,000 | ₹6.60+ Lakh |
Bonus Earnings: Anil Chaudhary stated that in addition to match fees, umpires receive a daily allowance, which can total around 6,000 USD (approximately ₹5 lakh) over a season.
Domestic Cricket Umpire Salary and Perks for Big Names
An umpire who officiates at the international level and also officiates in domestic cricket stands to gain significantly. According to Chaudhary, if you are a prominent name in umpiring, you can earn an additional ₹20 lakh to ₹25 lakh per season through domestic matches.
International Cricket Umpire Match Fees: Test and T20I
Beyond the IPL, umpires are also well-compensated in international cricket.
Anil Chaudhary also revealed the figures for Test and T20 matches:
- Test Match: An umpire receives ₹8 lakh for officiating a Test match.
- T20 International (T20I): An umpire is paid ₹2 lakh for a T20 International match.
