Why tickets, PPV prices so high for UFC 246: Conor McGregor vs. Donald Cerrone

If you’re planning to attend the Conor McGregor vs. Donald Cerrone fight in person, be prepared to potentially open your wallet. Those watching UFC 246 on pay-per-view will experience a price increase, too.

Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor is scheduled to return to the UFC on Jan. 18, taking on Donald Cerrone in the welterweight main event of UFC 246. How much are you willing to pay to witness it — either in-person or on pay-per-view?

Per TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter, the cheapest tickets for UFC 246 are available for $300. The better seats, more close-up to the Octagon, meanwhile, can go for upwards as $1500.

Six of McGregor’s last eight UFC bouts have been held in Las Vegas. The Vegas arenas, whether the MGM Grand or T-Mobile Arena, have tended to feel more packed and more energized for a card that McGregor is on, especially since McGregor defeated Chad Mendes in the headline bout of UFC 189.

In this eight-card range — which includes UFC 178, which saw McGregor compete on the main card but not main event, and a January 2015 UFC Boston Fight Night event — no less than 10,000 people have filled an arena. In addition, the seven pay-per-view cards all saw gates of no less than $2 million each, with most averaging around $7 million.

UFC 205, the first UFC event in New York City, headlined by McGregor facing Eddie Alvarez, and UFC 229, headlined by McGregor facing Khabib Nurmagomedov, both drew an attendance of about 20,000 and a gate of over $17 million.

Those who’d rather pay for the pay-per-view will have to pay a bit more than they used to as well. Current ESPN+ subscribers will now have to pay $64.99 per UFC event, while those unsubscribed will have to pay $84.98

Last year, the UFC’s first under ESPN and using ESPN+ for their pay-per-views, saw current subscribers be able to purchase events for $54.99, while others would have to pay $79.98 for one UFC pay-per-view plus a year’s subscription to ESPN+.

This fight is under scrutiny from fans and media alike as McGregor is being investigated for two sexual assaults, per the New York Times. Perhaps this could affect ticket sales for this upcoming bout.

UFC 246 takes place on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Follow along with FanSided MMA, who will be on-site for the whole week, for all your live results and highlights.