DAZN The DAZN logo is displayed at the company’s offices in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017. DAZN, a UK-owned sports streaming service, rattled Japan’s broadcasting world with an audacious 210 billion yen ($1.9 billion) swoop to stream the nation’s J-League soccer competition, and has snapped up rights for sports from MLB to UFC. Photographer: Tomohiro Ohsumi/Bloomberg

DAZN, pronounced, “Da Zone,” officially launched in the USA September 10. (Don’t think I didn’t have to google that). Already having made its dent in the streaming sports world across the globe, DAZN officially made its debut in the United States. Think Netflix for sports, as it’s been described for the rest of the world, you can get access to thousands of live sports events for $20 per month.

Another streaming service? I know. There’s basically an over-the-top option for every possible genre, sport, you name it. But, this is what we asked for. What we want when we want it. We may have to have monthly subscriptions to eight different services, but what a great problem to have, right?

So what is DAZN? Besides being a global sports streaming entity (NFL rights in Canada, for example) they’ve landed in the U.S. with MMA and Boxing. Partnering with Matchroom Boxing USA, Bellator MMA, and the World Boxing Series, they’ve launched with 70+ fights with no tiering. Basically, there’s no pay-per-view, no high-tier package, etc. For $9.99 a month, the avid fight fan has full access to the entire card. No long-term contracts, no bundling. The monthly subscription also includes original shows, behind the scenes features, and real-time up-to-fight stories regarding the matchups.

What can you watch on DAZN?

The fight programming is the most attractive, but you gain access to the AFC Champions League, Chilean Primera Division, J1 League, Cricket, and Cycling (at least here in the United States). Only about two years old, DAZN has relationships with the likes of the NFL, MLB, NHL, etc in parts of Europe, Asia, and Canada, so expect an expansion and additional programming in the future. Some highlights for the U.S. version:

  • The main events, themselves. DAZN is debuting this month with the following fight nights:
  • Sept. 22 – Anthony Joshua vs. Alexander Povetkin
  • Sept. 29 – Bellator: Gegard Mousasi vs. Rory MacDonald
  • Oct. 6 – Card featuring Jessie Vargas, Demetrius Andrade
  • Oct. 12 – Bellator: Matt Mitrione vs. Ryan Bader
  • Weigh-ins, press conferences, public workouts, and undercards
  • AK & Barak: commonly heard on SiriusXM, the duo goes behind the scenes with talent in and outside of the ring including current and former boxers and those who cover them

Where can you watch DAZN?

On most connected and streaming devices including the web, smartphones, tablets, etc.

Why sign up for DAZN?

Like most streaming services, a free trial is custom and worth it always, in my opinion. I’ll try anything once! For 30 days, you can determine if it’s worth keeping, which is a similar timeline to a trial period of relationships (except this is no charge, of course). While it’s mostly geared toward a niche type of sports enthusiast, even if you’re interested in only one main event or two, it pays for itself.

Another reason? John Skipper is the Perform Group Executive Chairman who owns DAZN. Sound familiar? The former ESPN President for six years now heads operations and strategy. With what he was able to build at ESPN, DAZN isn’t something to balk at.

About Holly Wetzel

Holly has spent the majority of her career in affiliate distribution negotiating contracts with content providers across the US. She covers the media landscape of rights fees, retransmission consent, carriage disputes, and the regional sports network business.
She's a Cleveland native and graduate of The University of Mount Union and constantly wishes she was still a student. Since that's never happening, she compensates for it over wine, cooking, sports, not working out, and any Turner Classic movie. Holly can be followed on twitter @HollyanneLiz