Paramount Secures UFC Rights in $7.7 Billion Deal, Shifting MMA Events from ESPN in 2026

What's Happening?

Paramount has announced a significant seven-year media rights agreement with TKO Group, making Paramount+ the exclusive U.S. home for all UFC events starting in 2026. This deal, valued at $7.7 billion, will transition UFC events from ESPN, which has held the rights since 2019. The agreement includes 13 annual marquee numbered events and 30 Fight Nights, which will be available to Paramount+ subscribers at no additional cost. This move marks a shift from the current pay-per-view model, aiming to increase accessibility and engagement among sports fans. The deal is part of a broader strategy by Paramount to leverage live sports to drive subscriber growth and long-term loyalty.

Why It's Important?

This deal represents a major shift in the sports broadcasting landscape, as it moves a popular sports franchise from a traditional sports network to a streaming platform. For Paramount, this acquisition is a strategic move to enhance its streaming service's appeal and compete with other major platforms. The shift could potentially increase Paramount+'s subscriber base by offering exclusive, high-demand content. For ESPN, losing UFC rights could impact its viewership and subscription numbers, although it will gain WWE rights starting in 2026. This development highlights the growing importance of streaming services in the sports broadcasting industry and the competitive nature of securing exclusive content.

What's Next?

As the deal takes effect in 2026, Paramount plans to explore acquiring UFC rights outside the U.S. as they become available. The transition will require strategic marketing to ensure current UFC fans migrate to Paramount+. Meanwhile, ESPN will focus on integrating WWE content into its platform. The broader industry may see further shifts as other streaming services like Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube continue to vie for exclusive sports content. Stakeholders will be watching how this move affects subscriber numbers and engagement for both Paramount+ and ESPN.