MMA
The Real Reason UFC Tickets Are So Expensive
Find out why UFC tickets are so expensive and how they compare to boxing ticket prices. Read about the factors that drive costs, compare UFC and boxing PPV prices, and understand what makes live fight events so valuable.
Image Credits: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is one of the fastest-growing sports globally, and its events are highly anticipated, especially the pay-per-view events.
Due to the growing stature of the sport, the demand for tickets often outweighs the supply, especially for marquee events such as UFC title fights, or events that feature the most popular fighters on the UFC roster. This often drives up ticket prices of the events. Additionally, arenas used for UFC fights typically seat fewer people than the large stadiums used in other sports, which further limits ticket availability and this is what drives up prices.
A UFC card featuring well-known fighters like Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, Alex Pereira or Israel Adesanya tends to sell out quickly. These fighters have massive fan bases and a significant drawing power, which allows the UFC to charge premium prices.
Another reason as to why UFC tickets are so expensive is because the UFC often hosts events in major cities like Las Vegas, New York, and Los Angeles. These are destinations known for their vibrant entertainment scene. The cost of hosting events in these cities, along with the tourism draw they naturally possess, adds to the price tag, particularly events at top-tier venues like Madison Square Garden or T-Mobile Arena.
Lastly, the UFC has to cover expenses for things like fighter salaries, the production, security and medical staff which is why special events will see more expensive ticket prices than normal.
What's More Expensive: UFC Tickets or Boxing Tickets?
Image Credits: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
The UFC is often compared to boxing by fans and critics, despite being separate entities. Comparisons between the popularity of their star fighters, fighter pay, and potential crossover fights are common. So, I think it's only fair to also compare the ticket prices of them both.
When comparing UFC ticket prices to boxing, both sports are expensive to follow. Here is an estimated breakdown on both sports.
The average price for UFC tickets ranges from $200 to $400, though tickets for major events or championship bouts can easily exceed $1,000, especially in the front row or VIP sections. Meanwhile, general admission tickets for smaller UFC events or Fight Nights are typically more affordable, ranging from $100 to $200.
Boxing ticket prices can be even more variable depending on the fight and the venue. For high-profile bouts such as Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford or Anthony Joshua fights, ticket prices for ringside seats can easily reach $2,000 or more. However, for undercard or lesser-known bouts, general admission tickets may be more accessible, sometimes starting at around $100 to $200, which is similar to lower-tier UFC events.
UFC versus Boxing Pay-per-view Prices
Image Credits: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
In the US, UFC and boxing pay-per-view prices are quite expensive compared to the United Kingdom.
Almost all of the UFC events are non-PPV in the UK, on TNT Sports, unless the card is staged in the UK or it involves the superstar Conor McGregor. Boxing PPV prices in the UK tend to range between £15 and £30.
As of 2024, UFC PPV events typically cost around $79.99 in the United States. UFC holds PPV events almost monthly, and these feature the organisation’s biggest matchups and title fights. Fans also need to subscribe to ESPN+, which can add to the total annual cost. However, the frequency of UFC PPV’s makes this a recurring expense for avid fans.
Boxing PPV’s in America tend to be a bit more varied in price, often ranging from $60 to $100 per event. However, super fights, like those involving heavyweight title holders or pound-for-pound greats, can push the PPV cost upwards of $100 or more. Boxing also offers fewer major PPV events annually compared to UFC, meaning fans might only have to pay for a handful of high-profile fights each year.
For fight fans, whether it's UFC or boxing, keeping up with your favourite fighters can be costly. UFC tickets, while expensive, are often on par with or slightly more affordable than boxing tickets, especially for high-profile events. On the other hand, PPV costs for both sports are substantial, but boxing's biggest events tend to come at a higher one-time price.
Jake Staniland is a sports writer who excels in covering a wide range of sports: football, combat sports and the NFL - All three subjects are his lifelong passions.
Jake is a boyhood Sheffield United fan, which is often a curse that he thanks his family for. His favourite Blades player ever is Billy Sharp