After weeks of speculation about the pricing of the new “RING Pass,” which would enhance the current DAZN subscription to include PPV events, the streaming company announced the “Ultimate” plan, triggering a major backlash among boxing fans.
Similar to a lot of DAZN’s messages about their plans, different scenarios lead to specific price points. So with today’s announcement, you need to carefully read which category you fall into and what that will cost with this new “Ultimate” plan. The following was announced:
“DAZN will offer two pricing options for the Ultimate plan, including an Annual – Pay Monthly option:
|
Country |
DAZN Ultimate Annual – Pay Monthly Price |
Savings 1 | |
|
US (1) |
$44.99 / month ($539.88/yr) |
More than $535 / Year | |
|
UK (2) |
£22.99 / month |
More than £320 / Year | |
|
Other Countries |
From $19.99 and Equivalent / month |
More than $175 / Year |
(1)Savings calculated by comparing 12 months of DAZN Monthly Flex (UK: £24.99, US: $29.99) plus 12 pay-per-view (UK: £24.99, US: $59.99) events per year against 12 months of DAZN Ultimate at launch price.
(2)Introductory offer for first 12 months, valid until 1 Dec 2025 (12pm GMT). Standard rate of £24.99 / month. Subscribers can secure a bigger discount with the Annual – Pay Upfront plan. See DAZN.com website for details.”
The current plan in the U.S. is as follows: $25.99 (Annual-pay monthly; 12-month contract), $259.99 (Annual-pay upfront), and $35.99 for the first month, $39.99 on subsequent months (Monthly Flex plan can cancel with 30-day’s notice). Also, this new “Ultimate” plan is an “introductory offer” leaving room for it to increase even more in the future.
This isn’t what Turki Alalshikh led us to believe would happen when he announced in 2024 that PPV was too expensive and needed to be $19.99. That lasted a couple of events until it quickly went back to $59.99.
Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing.
Then over the summer, Alalshikh posted on X “We have big vision to grow boxing and decide: No More Pay-Per-View. Starting with our Ring Magazine show in November, all Riyadh Season & RING events will be free to DAZN subscribers. The PPV model had damaged boxing, and we will no longer support it. We are with the fight fans.”
Ah, the play on words. He technically wasn’t lying when he said that the events would be free for DAZN subscribers. Technically, if you get the “Ultimate” package, you won’t be paying for PPV. That’s the part where fans may have an issue, as we get enough of that kind of messaging from politicians, and we don’t need it in boxing. Also, the Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn 2 event is being promoted as a PPV, so that part of Alalshikh’s statement in July is false, as events are still being marketed as PPVs.
This recent news about the “Ultimate” subscription isn’t helping boxing; it’s hurting it. This might have been the last straw for fans, as they have gone ballistic on social media over the news.
In the end, this “ultimate” subscription is a choice. You can either get it or continue to purchase PPVs only now; fans will either be very selective about which PPVs they buy or will just go for illegal streams even more. DAZN didn’t make a splash today; they drew a line in the sand. Unfortunately, it’s the fans who have to pay the price both literally and figuratively.
Discover more from Fights Around The World
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
