Move raises questions about UFC’s next steps as TKO Group eyes billion-dollar rights strategy.
ESPN has announced a five-year agreement to bring WWE’s marquee live events to its soon-to-be-launched streaming platform starting in 2026.
The partnership, announced on August 6, will make ESPN the exclusive US home for WWE Premium Live Events, such as Wrestlemania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble, replacing the outgoing Peacock agreement.
The new platform, launching on August 21, will stream all seven ESPN linear channels alongside live sports and exclusive content. The agreement also includes pre- and post-event coverage produced by WWE.
“WWE has an immense, devoted and passionate fanbase that we’re excited to super-serve on our new ESPN DTC platform,” said ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro.
“This agreement, which features the most-significant WWE events of the year, bolsters our unprecedented content portfolio and helps drive our streaming future.”
A strategic play as ESPN enters a new era
The move strengthens ESPN’s shift toward premium streaming. WWE brings a loyal fanbase, a packed calendar and broad crossover appeal, which are all valuable assets in the increasingly competitive sports streaming market.
It also deepens ESPN’s ties with TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of both WWE and UFC.
UFC’s $300m a year media deal with ESPN is nearing its end and the exclusive negotiating window closed in April.
Since then, TKO has been in active talks with several other platforms, including Netflix, Amazon and Warner Bros. Discovery, and is reportedly seeking around $1bn annually for the next rights cycle.
Netflix currently appears to be the frontrunner. It is already the global home of WWE Raw, holds international rights to SmackDown and other premium WWE shows, and will stream the debut of Zuffa Boxing, UFC President Dana White’s new promotion, in September.
ESPN remains in the mix, however. White said in June that a split media rights deal is “likely,” opening the door for ESPN to retain domestic rights while Netflix or another platform takes the international package, a setup which mirrors WWE’s structure beginning in 2026.
Don’t forget Paramount
However, the decision process may not be as simple as first thought.
The recent $8bn acquisition of Paramount Global by Skydance Media adds another option to UFC’s media buffet. With CBS Sports and Paramount+ now under new leadership, UFC may see fresh opportunities for global distribution, especially if Skydance pursues a more aggressive sports strategy.
For UFC, Paramount’s revamped portfolio could become a viable alternative to Netflix or even a complementary piece in a split deal.
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