UFC PPVs will move to exclusive Australian broadcaster in 2024

The biggest events in the octagon are getting an exclusive home.

The Foxtel Group is becoming the exclusive provider for UFC pay-per-view (PPV) events from 2024.

From 1 January 2024, the only place you will be able to watch the UFC PPVs will be on Main Event, which is only available via Foxtel and Kayo.

How will this change how Australian's watch UFC?

With the new exclusive broadcast deal, it will mean that there will be changes coming to both UFC Fight Pass, Fetch and PlayStation Plus users next year.

Currently the UFC's own streaming service allows you to purchase PPV events to watch live or on-demand.

Given that PPV events weren't already part of the standard Fight Pass subscription plan, there's no other change.

From 2024, if you're looking to purchase a PPV via UFC Fight Pass, you will be redirected to Main Event.

The new deal does remove a money saving hack for PlayStation Plus members.

For years PlayStation Plus members were able to buy UFC PPVs for $54.95 compared to the regular price of $59.95.

The $5 saving might not seem like much, but if you're a UFC tragic and watch every PPV event (13 per year), then you could save $65 a year by watching via PlayStation.

Stream UFC 291 on Main Event via Kayo: Order Poirier vs Gaethje PPV now

UFC PPVs first became available on Main Event through Kayo in 2021.

Do I need a Foxtel or Kayo subscription to watch UFC PPVs?

It depends how you want to watch UFC.

If you want to watch via Foxtel, you can only access Main Event via a Foxtel iQ subscription.

That means that if you already have an iQ box, there's no change for you.

But if you don't, you'd need a subscription to Foxtel iQ, which starts at $52 a month.

If you have a Foxtel Now subscription, you can't watch Main Event PPVs on that streaming platform.

That means the most accessible way for people to access UFC PPVs from 1 January 2024 is to order on Main Event via Kayo.

Anyone can purchase to watch Main Event on Kayo, you just need to enter some personal and credit card details and you will be able to watch.

If you're not an existing Kayo member, you get full access to the streaming service for 4 days after the fight ends.

Will UFC PPVs now be included in my existing Foxtel or Kayo subscription?

No, as the name suggests, being pay-per-view events, there is a separate charge for these on top of your regular subscription.

But this new deal means that if you're looking to watch UFC, you only need to head to Foxtel or Kayo.

Both Foxtel and Kayo already have Fight Night events available to watch with a regular subscription, along with UFC shows like The Ultimate Fighter, UFC Countdown and more.

This move by Foxtel to sign this deal shouldn't be too much of a surprise.

Foxtel has been reshaping its sports offering over the last few years, by doubling down on its most watched sports and culling what it can't hold exclusiveness over.

Just last week they extended their agreement with ESPN in a new multi-year agreement, meaning it will remain the home of the big 4 US sports NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB.

As of last month you can no longer find tennis, rugby union or soccer on Kayo or Foxtel.

At the start of this year Foxtel's services essentially replaced WWE Network, with exclusive broadcast rights including previous PPV events becoming newly named premium events and no longer attaching an extra fee.

NRL, AFL and cricket have all reached new multi-year broadcast agreements with Foxtel Group, while they also extended their PGA tour offering with more coverage and added more viewing features for F1.