Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season is making headlines once again — this time by transforming how fans around the world access the premium sports content.
Over the last number of years, the incredible sporting events introduced to the calendar of the annual entertainment season has firmly solidified the Kingdom's position as the go-to destination in the Middle East for international sporting events.
In a strategic partnership with global sports streaming platform DAZN, Riyadh Season will eliminate pay-per-view (PPV) charges for all future events under its banner, starting November 2025.
The announcement was made by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), following a high-level meeting with DAZN CEO Shay Segev. Alalshikh confirmed that all Riyadh Season and The Ring events will be available free of charge to DAZN subscribers.
This free-to-view change for DAZN subscribers will begin with the Ring IV show on November 22.
This shift marks a significant departure from the traditional PPV model, which has long been criticised for creating financial barriers to viewership. “The PPV model has damaged boxing, and we will no longer support it,” Alalshikh stated on social media, adding, “We are with the fight fans”.
The final PPV event under the Riyadh Season banner will be the Moses Itauma vs. Dillian Whyte bout on August 16, 2025, held at ANB Arena. After that, fans will only need a standard DAZN subscription to stream future events, including high-profile matchups like David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde and Devin Haney vs. Brian Norman Jr., both slated for November.
This move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader push to democratise access to world-class entertainment and sports, reinforcing its position as a global leader in event innovation. It also reflects Riyadh Season’s commitment to enhancing fan experience while supporting sustainable growth in the sports industry.
With this bold pivot, Riyadh Season is not just hosting elite events, it’s reshaping how the world consumes and enjoys them.
