Netflix Users Could Be Fined £1,000 For Watching Canelo vs Crawford

One of the most anticipated fights in recent boxing history takes place this weekend as Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez goes head-to-head with Terence Crawford.

Netflix will be showing the fight live, giving fans across the world easy access to one of boxing’s true blockbuster events. However, for UK viewers, there is an important warning attached.

Fans tuning in from the UK are being warned that there could be serious consequences for watching the fight live without meeting the proper requirements, with the risk of prosecution and fines of up to £1,000, a staggering contrast when you consider the Netflix subscription itself starts at only £5.99 a month.

This is not just another boxing match. Canelo and Crawford are widely regarded as two of the greatest fighters of their generation, and both have already built legacies that place them among the best to ever step into the ring. Canelo, the unified and undisputed super middleweight champion, brings an incredible record (63-2-2, 39 KO) and global star power, while Crawford is chasing history by moving up to face him after dominating at welterweight, going undefeated his entire career so far (41-0, 31 KO). The clash is being billed as one of the biggest fights of the year, with millions set to tune in around the world to see two pound-for-pound stars collide.

UK Rules For Canelo vs Crawford on Netflix

The rules in the UK, however, are clear. A TV licence is required if you are watching or recording a programme that is being shown live on television, or if you are streaming it live online. It doesn’t matter which platform you use, or whether you are watching on a smart TV, computer, tablet, or mobile phone. If the broadcast is live, a TV licence is legally required. That means the Netflix stream of Canelo vs Crawford falls firmly into that category.

Many people assume that because Netflix is primarily an on-demand service, a TV licence is not needed. While that is usually true for films, series, and box sets available to stream at any time, it changes completely when live events are introduced. Because Netflix is showing the fight as it happens, the law treats it in the same way as any other live broadcast. Without a licence, viewers are breaking the rules and run the risk of a hefty fine, or more.

The difference between live and on-demand viewing is crucial. If you plan to catch up with highlights of the fight the following day or watch a replay once it has been uploaded to the platform, you will not need a licence. Anyone in the UK tuning in to watch Canelo vs Crawford live in the early hours of Sunday morning must make sure they are covered by purchasing a license for £174.50 per year, with the option to spread the cost through monthly, quarterly, or even weekly payments.

There have been plenty of high-profile reminders of this law in recent months. WWE’s SummerSlam, which was also shown live on Netflix, carried the same warning for fans in the UK. With the Canelo vs Crawford fight set to draw an even larger audience, the spotlight is once again on the TV licence requirements that can sometimes catch people out.

The message could not be clearer. If you want to be part of the live experience this weekend, you need a TV licence in place. Failure to have one could lead to serious consequences, with fines of up to £1,000 and risks of imprisonment for repeat offenders.

Watching one of the sport’s biggest events illegally is simply not worth the risk. For British boxing fans, the safest way to enjoy Canelo vs Crawford on Netflix is to ensure you are properly covered before the first bell rings.