Paramount (NASDAQ: PSKY) has secured the exclusive U.S. rights to broadcast UFC events in a deal valued at $7.7 billion over seven years, starting in 2026. This agreement with TKO Group covers all 43 annual UFC live events and marks a significant shift in how fans in the United States will access mixed martial arts content. Instead of the traditional pay-per-view model that ESPN currently uses, every event will be streamed exclusively on Paramount+ at no additional cost beyond the subscription fee.
This new arrangement means UFC fans in the U.S. won’t have to pay separately to watch major pay-per-view fights anymore. All numbered UFC events, traditionally behind a paywall requiring separate payments, will now be included as part of the Paramount+ streaming service. Additionally, select marquee fights will be simulcast on CBS, expanding the sport’s visibility on free-to-air television.
The move represents a strategic bet by Paramount on the growing demand for streaming sports content and the increasing consumer preference for subscription-based access rather than a la carte pay-per-view purchases. For the UFC, the deal provides robust financial security and the opportunity to reach a wider audience by removing cost barriers for fans. UFC President Dana White highlighted the significance of the deal, noting that it makes UFC fights more accessible and affordable for viewers, while also boosting exposure for athletes on a large platform.
The elimination of the pay-per-view fee model could reshape direct-to-consumer sports entertainment in the U.S., as other sports leagues and event organizers watch closely to see how UFC’s transition to streaming exclusivity affects viewer engagement and revenues. Paramount’s commitment to all live UFC events over the next seven years underlines the company’s confidence in the value of live sports content to attract and retain subscribers in a competitive streaming market.
With UFC events exclusively on Paramount+, subscribers will have access to a full slate of live fights throughout the year, including premier championship bouts and fight nights. This deal signals a notable consolidation of premium sports content within a major media company’s streaming ecosystem, likely to impact how fans interact with UFC and how streaming services negotiate future sports broadcasting rights.
Overall, Paramount’s acquisition of UFC rights at $7.7 billion over seven years is a landmark deal for streaming sports and one of the most significant media rights agreements for combat sports in recent memory. It not only changes how UFC content is delivered but also sets a precedent for the conversion of pay-per-view events into subscription streaming offerings.
This deal is expected to fully take effect in 2026 and represents a bold new chapter in the relationship between sports and digital platforms, positioning UFC within a major entertainment company’s portfolio and offering fans an easier, more inclusive way to watch their favorite fighters without extra fees.
