The Mayweather vs McGregor fight will be broadcast live here in the UK in August and here’s how to watch the multi-million-pound tussle as it happens, including which channel it’s airing on and the start time.
When it comes to hype around a boxing fight, it doesn’t get much bigger than this: a boxer versus a mixed martial artist, Floyd Mayweather versus Conor McGregor.
So, as you’d expect with any big fight that’s going to make everyone involved buckets of money, you’ll need to pay to actually see it live. This being the age of the internet there are, of course, options out there for you to get your brain bashing fix without your wallet taking a heavy beating also. Here are some ways to watch the Mayweather vs McGregor fight here in the UK.
When is the Mayweather vs McGregor fight?
The big fight will kick-off on August 26, broadcast live from Las Vegas. Mayweather and McGregor will face off in the ring from 9pm EDT. For those of in the UK, that means staying up a wee bit beyond bedtime as the fight will begin at 2am on BST.
Why is the Mayweather vs McGregor fight so important?
This is the first time a professional boxer of this calibre has gone up against a fighter who is not actually a boxer. Floyd Mayweather is a 0-49 fighter, meaning he’s not to be taken lightly, in any sense of the word. Meanwhile Conor McGregor is an MMA fighter with a legendary mouth and a serious ability to hype a fight.
This match up is clearly all about creating a lot of attention and earning everyone involved an awful lot of money. Some might see this as a perversion of pure boxing. Whatever the opinions of everyone, it should make for a very interesting fight indeed. Sure it’s not quite the ‘who would win in a fight between a shark and a crocodile’ scenario, although it’s about as close as you’re gonna get from a professional sport.
Read next: How Conor McGregor Can Beat Floyd Mayweather
How can I watch the Mayweather vs McGregor fight?
If you want to watch the big fight live then you’ll have to stump up for a pay-per-view (PPV) ticket.
The fight is being aired by Showtime in the US, which means global users can tune in via an internet connection on a computer or even on a mobile device using the Showtime PPV app. Or over the air, which will cost US fans $90 (£70) in standard definition or $100 (£77.60) in high definition.
So what about us UK viewers? How do we watch the fight live on telly?
Watching Mayweather vs McGregor in the UK: Sky Sports Box Office
All of the big names in sports broadcasting in the UK entered a bidding war to show the Mayweather vs McGregor fight. That meant Sky Sports Box Office with its considerable budget went up against ITV Sports Box Office and BT Sport, all hoping to bag exclusive rights.
In the end it was Sky who won. That means the Sky Sports Box Office channel will be airing this boxing match as it happens, and you can enjoy it if you’re a Sky customer for the one-off fee of £19.95 (SD) or £20.95 (HD).
Note that this fee applies to any bookings made via your remote control or online, up to midnight on August 25. Telephone bookings will cost an additional £5 after this point, and will also incur an additional £2 booking fee at any time.
If you don’t have a Sky subscription, some other providers such as Virgin TV still offer access to Sky Sports Box Office. Bookings are open on Virgin from today.
Watching Mayweather vs McGregor in the UK: Pub option
No doubt there will be plenty of pubs that shell out for rights to show the fight and stay open late. Expect many to charge you on the door to recuperate some of the cost, although there may be some that are happy enough with your custom.
You can pop along to matchpint.co.uk to find your nearest pub showing the fight.
Watching Mayweather vs McGregor in the UK: Head to your local cinema
Another option is to head to your local cinema.
Vue cinemas across the UK will be showing the fight live, in HD. You can head to the Vue website to see if your local multiplex is screening the match-up.
Tickets are on sale now direct from Vue and cost up to £22.99 for London folk. Outside of London, you’ll be paying up to £20.00 for your space. Not any cheaper than watching it in the comfort of your own home, then, although it’s a viable option if you don’t have access to Sky Box Office. Plus, you get to watch Mayweather take on McGregor while cheering along with other cinema-goers.
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