In a blockbuster move poised to shake the sports and streaming landscape, Paramount has secured a $7.7 billion, seven-year media rights deal with TKO Group to make UFC events exclusive to Paramount+ in the United States starting in 2026.
The partnership marks a seismic shift away from UFC’s pay-per-view model, placing all 13 marquee numbered events and 30 Fight Nights directly on the streaming platform at no extra charge for U.S. subscribers. Select events will also air on CBS. The deal’s scale, reach, and strategy signal a bold bet that premium live sports will be the next frontier for subscriber growth, global brand partnerships, and digital sports dominance.
Paramount+ to be the Ultimate UFC Destination
The agreement is more than just another sports rights deal. It’s a strategic pivot for Paramount, freshly merged with David Ellison’s Skydance, as it looks to cement itself as a serious player in live sports streaming.
David Ellison, Paramount’s chairman and CEO, underscored the historic nature of the deal:
“Rarely do opportunities arise to partner on an exclusive basis with a global sports powerhouse like UFC – an organization with extraordinary global recognition, scale, and cultural impact.”
By eliminating the pay-per-view barrier, Paramount+ is betting that accessibility will drive both viewership and loyalty. It’s a direct challenge to the traditional premium sports model and could resonate with an audience accustomed to on-demand entertainment without additional costs.
From ESPN to Paramount: A Major Rights Power Shift
The UFC’s current U.S. rights deal with ESPN, worth about $500 million annually, expires at the end of 2025. The jump to Paramount nearly doubles the annual payout to $1.1 billion, underscoring the surging value of premium live sports content in the streaming era.
TKO CEO Ari Emanuel called the deal “a milestone moment” for UFC:
“Our decade-long journey with UFC has been defined by continuous growth and expansion, and this agreement is an important realization of our strategy.”
This move also comes as TKO strengthens its sports-entertainment portfolio. Just last week, the company inked a $1.6 billion deal with ESPN for WWE premium live events. Paramount’s entry into UFC’s broadcasting future could spark more competitive bidding wars across sports.
Bigger Picture: Paramount’s Global Play
While the agreement currently covers U.S. rights, Paramount’s ambitions clearly extend beyond American borders. The company has signaled interest in securing international UFC rights as they become available. Ellison’s presence at UFC events in recent months hints at the personal investment he’s placing in this partnership.
Mark Shapiro, TKO’s President and COO, emphasized the long-term potential:
“Our new agreement unlocks powerful opportunities at TKO for years to come
meaningful economics for investors;
expanded premium inventory for global brand partners;
and deeper engagement for UFC’s passionate fanbase.”
Paramount’s blend of linear broadcast via CBS and digital delivery through Paramount+ could provide a blueprint for hybrid sports distribution in the years ahead.
What It Means for Fans and the Streaming Wars
For UFC fans, the deal could be transformative. Imagine high-profile fights that once demanded steep pay-per-view fees now included in a monthly subscription. For the streaming industry, this is another signal that premium sports content is becoming the battleground for subscribers’ loyalty.
Live sports is one of the few entertainment categories that consistently commands real-time, appointment viewing. By locking down UFC’s year-round programming, Paramount+ is positioning itself alongside — and in some cases against — platforms like ESPN+, Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video, which have been steadily adding exclusive sports content.
Paramount is not just buying rights, it’s buying relevance in a crowded streaming marketplace. UFC’s global brand and devoted fanbase could be the perfect anchor for attracting — and retaining — a younger, international audience.
Knockout Punch for Streaming Competition
Paramount’s $7.7 billion UFC deal isn’t just a sports rights acquisition, it’s a signal that the future of streaming belongs to platforms bold enough to reimagine premium content delivery. By placing every numbered UFC event inside the Paramount+ subscription, the company is betting big on accessibility, loyalty, and global reach. If the strategy works, 2026 could mark a turning point in both sports media and the streaming wars.
