How To Watch PPV On Firestick [Paid and Free]
How to Watch Pay-Per-View Events on Your Amazon Fire TV Stick in 2024
Are you a sports fan looking forward to the next big UFC fight, boxing match, or wrestling event? Wondering how you can catch all the action live on your Amazon Fire TV Stick streaming device? You‘ve come to the right place.
In this guide, we‘ll walk you through everything you need to know about watching pay-per-view (PPV) events on your Firestick in 2024. We‘ll cover why these events cost extra, which streaming services and apps offer them, and provide step-by-step instructions for purchasing and viewing. We‘ll also discuss some free but riskier alternatives for the more adventurous cord-cutters out there.
What Are Pay-Per-View Events and Why Do They Cost Extra?
First, let‘s clarify what we mean by "pay-per-view" events. These are special live broadcasts, typically of major sporting matchups, that are not included in standard TV channel packages or streaming service subscriptions. To watch a PPV event live as it happens, viewers need to pay a one-time fee on top of any existing subscription costs.
Some of the most popular PPV events are marquee UFC fights, championship boxing matches, and WWE special events like Wrestlemania or SummerSlam. Because of the high profile of the talent involved and the increased production costs, PPV events are premium products that networks and streaming services charge extra for.
Prices for PPV events in 2024 generally range from $50 to $100 depending on the event and provider. For example, ESPN+ charged $69.99 for UFC 273: Volkanovski vs Korean Zombie in April 2024. The highly anticipated Fury vs Ngannou heavyweight boxing match in August 2024 had a price tag of $79.99 on Showtime.
While those PPV costs might seem steep, it‘s still much cheaper (and more convenient) than buying a ticket to see the event live in person. You get a front row seat to all the action from the comfort of your own couch.
How to Watch PPV Events on Firestick Through Official Apps
Now that we‘ve covered the basics of PPV, let‘s get into the specifics of how to watch these events on your Amazon Fire TV Stick. The most reliable and legal way is to purchase the PPV through an official streaming app. Here are step-by-step instructions:
-
Go to the home screen on your Firestick and navigate to the "Search" tab in the top left corner.
-
Use the virtual keyboard or voice search to find the app for the streaming service hosting the PPV you want. The most popular options for PPVs are:
- ESPN+ (UFC, Top Rank Boxing)
- DAZN (boxing, MMA, FIFA soccer)
- Showtime (championship boxing, Jake Paul fights)
- Peacock Premium (WWE)
- Fite (MMA, boxing, pro wrestling, soccer)
-
Select the app and choose "Download" to install it on your Firestick. Launch the app once it finishes downloading.
-
If you don‘t already have an account/subscription for that streaming service, you‘ll need to sign up. For most apps, you can complete this process directly on your Firestick. Use the on-screen keyboard to enter your email address and create a password.
In some cases, it may be easier to sign up on the service‘s website using a computer or mobile browser. For example, with ESPN+ you need to subscribe on a web browser or smartphone app first before accessing the app on Firestick.
-
Once you‘re logged in, browse to the PPV event you want to purchase. There will usually be a dedicated section of the app for upcoming and replays of past PPV events. Select the event and choose the "Buy" or "Purchase" option.
-
Enter your payment info (if it‘s not already on file) and confirm the purchase. The PPV event will now be unlocked in the app.
-
A few minutes before the scheduled start time, go to the PPV event page in the app and select "Watch" to start the stream. You can expect high definition 1080p resolution for most PPV live streams on Firestick.
That‘s the basic process for purchasing and watching PPVs on Firestick. The exact steps and layout may vary slightly between apps, but the general flow is the same. One important note – PPV events are almost always subject to regional restrictions. Most PPVs offered through U.S. streaming services like ESPN+ and Showtime are only viewable in the United States.
Using a VPN to Watch PPVs on Firestick Internationally
If you‘re outside the U.S. and want to watch a PPV event that‘s only available through an American streaming service, you can use a virtual private network (VPN) app to get around the regional block.
A VPN will route your Firestick‘s internet connection through a private U.S. server, making it appear to the streaming app as if you are located in the States. This lets you purchase and watch the PPV as normal.
Some of the most reliable VPNs for streaming on Firestick are NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and IPVanish. You‘ll need to sign up for one of these VPN services and then download their app onto your Firestick. Enable the VPN and connect to a U.S. server before purchasing or watching the PPV in the streaming app.
It‘s important to note that while using a VPN to access geoblocked content is not illegal, it does violate the terms of service for most streaming platforms. There is always a small risk of your account being suspended or banned, so use a VPN at your own risk.
Free and Unofficial Options for Watching PPVs on Firestick
Don‘t want to shell out the cash for an official PPV stream? There are some free alternatives, but they come with serious drawbacks and risks.
One popular method is using unofficial Kodi add-ons. Kodi is an open-source media player app you can install on Firestick that supports third-party plugins for streaming live sports and PPVs. Add-ons like MMA TV and DAZN Boxset skim the PPV streams and provide access for free.
The problem is these Kodi add-ons operate in a legal gray area, stealing the copyrighted PPV broadcast without permission. Using them is outright piracy and could expose you to malware or a copyright infringement notice from your ISP. Not to mention the streams are notoriously unreliable – laggy, low-res, and prone to shutting down mid-event.
The same issues apply to the many sketchy sports streaming sites like Crackstreams or Buffstreams. They may promise free PPV streams on Firestick but you‘ll be bombarded with ads and pop-ups. And there‘s a good chance the stream cuts out before the main event even starts.
For these reasons, we strongly recommend paying for PPVs through official apps rather than rolling the dice on free streaming add-ons or websites. It‘s worth the price for the reliability and peace of mind.
The Wrap-Up and FAQs
Streaming pay-per-view events on an Amazon Firestick is a convenient (and cheaper) way to catch the big fight without heading to a crowded bar or dropping thousands on tickets. But because these PPV broadcasts are premium products, they do cost extra on top of your normal streaming subscriptions.
To quickly recap, the best way to watch PPV events on Firestick is to purchase them through an official streaming app like ESPN+, DAZN, Showtime, or Fite. Download the relevant app and create an account or log in. You can then purchase the PPV event within the app and stream it through your Firestick in full HD.
If you‘re outside the U.S., you can use a VPN to bypass regional restrictions and purchase the American PPV stream. But be aware this does come with some risks. Avoid the temptation of using sketchy free streaming sites or Kodi add-ons. The potential cost savings is not worth the headache of laggy, unreliable streams and potential exposure to malware.
One last tip – PPV streams are more demanding than standard video so make sure you have a fast, stable internet connection to avoid buffering. An ethernet connection is ideal but if you‘re using Wi-Fi, make sure your Firestick has a strong signal.
FAQs
Q: Can I record the PPV event on my Firestick to watch later?
A: Generally no, due to the copyrights on PPV broadcasts DVR recording is disabled in official streaming apps.
Q: Are PPV purchases refundable if I have technical issues?
A: Most streaming services have a strict no refund policy for PPV events. Some may offer partial credits on a case-by-case basis for major technical failures on their end.
Q: Can I split the cost of a PPV with a friend?
A: It‘s against terms of service to share account info, but many PPV streaming apps like ESPN+ do allow you to stream on two or three devices simultaneously.
Q: Why are some PPV events "blacked out" on my Firestick?
A: If a PPV fight takes place in your local area, it may be blacked out on streaming services to encourage ticket sales. The event may be watchable on a regional cable channel instead.
