DAZN New Zealand: Everything you need to know

The way we consume international sport is undergoing a substantial change. While streaming has become an integral part of how we now enjoy our movies and television programming, professional sport has been emerging as the next frontier in that field.

One of the major players in sports streaming is British company DAZN. Launched back in 2016, it promised to shake up the traditional pay TV model that has dominated sports coverage and broadcast rights for decades.

A planned launch into 200 countries earlier in 2020 was delayed due to the coronavirus. But the expansion took place on 1 December and DAZN New Zealand is now up and running.

What is DAZN?

DAZN, pronounced “Da Zone”, offers live and on-demand sports content online and through its app. Initially launched in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Japan, DAZN expanded to Canada, the US, Italy, Spain and Brazil over the next three years.

The massive global expansion plans were halted when COVID-19 brought professional sport to a shuddering halt. With sport now largely back – although not yet quite as we once knew it – the launch has taken place.

What content will DAZN have in New Zealand?

DAZN’s sports content varies by location. Boxing remains its principal offering, as it holds global broadcast rights to Golden Boy Promotions, Matchroom Boxing USA and GGG Promotions fight nights. That means DAZN is launching with a heck of a bang, with superstars Anthony Joshua, Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin all in action on the platform in December.

Alvarez fights Callum Smith in a super middleweight world title fight on 19 December. Golovkin, known as “GGG”, also puts his middleweight world titles on the line against undefeated contender Kamil Szeremeta the previous day and both are on DAZN.

DAZN also has the rights to unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua’s next title defence against Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev on 12 December.

It is capped with exclusive rights to American Ryan Garcia’s WBC Interim Lightweight Title fight with Brit and Olympic gold medallist Luke Campbell. Originally slated for 5 December, it has been moved to 2 January after Campbell tested positive for COVID-19.

DAZN

Stream big boxing fights on DAZN

Sign up to DAZN and stream some of the biggest boxing matches in the world for just $2.99 per month.

Last verified 1 Dec 2020

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How much will DAZN cost?

In New Zealand, it will cost you just $2.99/month to access some truly world class sport. That’s right, that’s all you pay, with no additional charges for pay-per-view events.

In the US, DAZN has been priced at US$19.99 per month or US$99.99 for a discounted annual price. But, perhaps influenced by the impact of the pandemic, DAZN officially stated the initial monthly price for its global launch “will be £1.99 or less”.

Does DAZN offer a free trial?

DAZN has utilised a 30-day free trial in its initial countries that offer a wide range of sports. But for the global launch, the free trial will not be available. Potential customers do have an opportunity to freely browse the site before signing up, with no paywall in place. As stated above, the monthly cost is also much lower in the expansion than in some existing territories.

How can I watch DAZN?

DAZN can be accessed on up to two devices at once. The full list of compatible devices is iOS, tvOS, Android mobile and Android TVs, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Samsung Tizen, LG WebOS, Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV and Tablet.

Will DAZN get other sports?

In countries where it has been live for some time, DAZN holds the rights to some impressive content. It has UEFA Champions League and Europa League rights plus the NBA in multiple countries. It also has live and exclusive EPL and NFL rights in Canada, but the global expansion is focusing on boxing.

The platform has reportedly been seeking up to US$1 billion in new funding and is yet to reveal any other sports it is aiming to feature in its launch. It will have an archive of classic fights and athlete features and will add additional magazine-style programming. It has already released some slick content involving Joshua, Alvarez and Golovkin.

The company has big ambitions and it will be fascinating to see if it can continue to shake up some traditional sports broadcasters across the globe.