Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards rematch at UFC 286 gets Superbowl-level ticket prices
UFC 286, headlined by a welterweight clash between Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards, marks the organization's pay-per-view return to UK soil.
Former welterweight kingpin Usman will attempt to reclaim the title from Leon Edwards, who dethroned him with a spectacular knockout at UFC 278 in August 2022. The rematch, which will be their third encounter, will headline UFC 286 and will take place on March 18, 2023, at The O2 Arena in London, England.
Although the MMA community is really looking forward to this rematch, what caught the attention of fans is the extremely high ticket price for the event. It's interesting to note that a survey by Slots Online Canada found that UFC 286 will have the second-highest average ticket price for a sporting event in 2023, right behind Super Bowl LVII.
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The tickets for UFC 286 are exorbitantly priced and range from $485 (£403.85) to $4,460 (£3,703). Meanwhile, the tickets for the American Football Conference championship that concluded on February 13 were priced at $9378 (£7,787).
Super Bowl ticket prices reflect both the great demand and limited supply for the event. The customary halftime show, which typically comprises performances by some of the most famous artists in the world, can be directly linked to high ticket prices. However, it's unclear why the cost of a UFC ticket is so steep. Maybe Dana and the UFC brass are planning something special during the event.
MMA fans on Twitter were outraged after learning that ESPN was planning to raise the price of UFC pay-per-view events in 2023 by $5, from $74.99 to $79.99, starting with the UFC 283 PPV event in January. Needless to say, fight fans aren't thrilled with the ticket pricing for UFC 286, headlined by Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman.
Leon Edwards questions ticket prices for UFC 286
Leon Edwards, the current UFC welterweight champion, has offered his perspective on the controversy that has surrounded the pricing of tickets for his trilogy fight against Kamaru Usman that will headline UFC 286.
For the first time since 2016, a pay-per-view event will be held in the United Kingdom on March 18. There are a number of other fascinating bouts on the card besides the main event battle, including a lightweight bout between Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev. Demand for tickets for the event was understandably high, with over 40,000 fans swiftly trying to book seats upon the release of tickets.
Getting so many messages about UFC London tickets today. Prices were scandalous from the get go, but what’s worse is people buying the tickets up just to sell them at a higher rate again. The worst thing about MMA going mainstream is that MMA fans are priced out of UFC events.
Leon Edwards was recently asked on The MMA Hour if any of his fans had reached out to him to express their displeasure with the event's ticket pricing, which has faced extreme scrutiny. 'Rocky' acknowledged his astonishment about the exorbitant rates, stating:
“For me, I don’t understand why they’re so high. I think ringside, before it went on sale, was like four thousand pounds or dollars. That’s a lot of money, you know? It would be worth it if the fighters got paid more, but it all just goes back to the UFC anyway. People have been messaging me saying, ’Why is it so expensive?’ I’m like, ‘Mate, I’m not making the prices." But, yeah, it’s not good for the fans that can’t afford it. But it will still be a good show either way."
Check out the full interview below: