DAZN Power Slaps Boxing Fans with 2026 PPV Rollout
Boxing fans have every reason to feel blindsided. World Boxing News can confirm that DAZN is already planning multiple DAZN PPV 2026 events — a stark contrast to Turki Alalshikh’s promise earlier this year to abolish PPV fees beginning November 22.
This sudden shift violates the core Alalshikh DAZN promise fans believed they were receiving.
Despite the pledge, promotional materials for the upcoming Benavidez vs Yarde card and the undercard fight between Eubank Jr and Benn make no mention that these are PPV-only events. Even on social media (as of November 2025), Alalshikh and Ring Magazine’s promotions highlight that “the whole Ring IV fight card will be available to stream live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe,” without clarifying that additional PPV charges apply.
At first glance, this could easily mislead viewers, as “available to stream on DAZN” isn’t strictly accurate.
The Reality Behind the Headlines
World Boxing News, reporting on the costs this month, reveals that a closer inspection of DAZN’s own platform exposes the truth. According to DAZN’s official U.S. pricing as of November 2025, fans in the U.S. will need to pay $119.98 plus standard subscription fees to access Benavidez vs Yarde and Eubank Jr vs Benn — fights occurring just one week apart. This comes on top of DAZN’s existing annual subscription, which has recently risen to $224.99 per year, effectively pushing total boxing subscription costs for casual fans close to $500 over a short period if they follow all the major events.
DAZN’s aggressive PPV strategy comes on the heels of a particularly contentious year for fans. After Turki Alalshikh vowed to eliminate extra PPV charges, many boxing enthusiasts subscribed, expecting access to premium fights without additional fees. Instead, what they are now seeing is a return to PPV-heavy scheduling, with not only marquee events locked behind paywalls.
Platform Perspective
World Boxing News reached out to DAZN for comment on the apparent contradiction between the Turki Alalshikh DAZN promise and the current pricing strategy. A representative has yet to comment on the specific PPV 2026 plans, but DAZN has reiterated the company’s commitment to delivering the best fights in boxing.
It appears that PPV remains a necessary business model for funding events on its global schedule.
Fan Backlash and Legal Concerns
The response from subscribers has been swift. Fans are cancelling memberships, venting frustration on social media, and questioning the platform’s commitment to transparency. Boxing attorney Kurt Emhoff, Esq., voiced a common sentiment (in a statement made in October 2025):
“DAZN televised Joshua defending three of the four heavyweight titles as part of the subscription, no extra charge. Now, Whyte-Chisora III is on PPV. It’s crazy, and I’m very close to unsubscribing.”
Industry analysts echo this concern. Steve Kim, a respected boxing writer, remarked that while PPVs are inevitable for mega-events, DAZN’s rapid rollout of multiple high-cost cards risks alienating loyal fans and undermining trust.
The Subscriber Cost Crunch
DAZN’s 2025 holiday PPV schedule highlighted the problem: four major fights were slated in less than two months (as of October 2025), including Parker vs. Wardley, Eubank Jr. vs. Benn 2, Benavidez vs. Yarde, and Chisora vs. Whyte 3 (later cancelled). Subscribers faced a combined cost approaching $465 for premium access.
Even without Chisora vs Whyte 3, the scale of charges illustrates the financial pressure fans now face regarding their overall boxing subscription costs.
A Warning Sign for Boxing Fans
DAZN’s plan for 2026 appears to continue this trend, with two world title fights slated for the first quarter of 2026, which WBN will reveal in the coming weeks. While the platform may argue that PPVs are necessary to fund stellar headliners, the lack of clear communication — and the contrast with Alalshikh’s prior promises — risks further subscriber dissatisfaction and long-term reputational damage.
Boxing fans worldwide are watching closely as the platform navigates the delicate balance between revenue generation and maintaining loyalty.
WBN will continue to monitor DAZN’s PPV rollout, subscriber response, and any evolving messaging from Alalshikh regarding promised changes to the platform’s business model.
It’s a Power Slap in the face for loyal DAZN subscribers and those who specifically signed up in July after Alalshikh intended to abolish the paid platform.
Reporting verified November 2025 by World Boxing News staff.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights.
View all articles by Phil Jay and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.