UFC broadcasting rights move to Paramount in $7.7 billion deal starting 2026

Paramount will stream 43 exclusive UFC events annually on CBS and Paramount+ under a record seven-year agreement.

Paramount has signed a landmark $7.7 billion agreement with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), securing exclusive U.S. broadcasting and streaming rights for all UFC events beginning in 2026. The seven-year deal, announced on August 11, will see CBS and Paramount+ stream and air 30 UFC Fight Nights and 13 marquee events annually.

This agreement effectively ends UFC’s current partnership with ESPN+, which pays $550 million per year and uses a pay-per-view model. The new deal more than doubles that annual value, averaging $1.1 billion per year, according to Sportico.

The move comes on the heels of Paramount's merger with Skydance Corporation and is part of a broader strategy under new CEO David Ellison. In a statement, Ellison emphasized that live sports are “a cornerstone” of Paramount’s vision to drive engagement and subscriber growth. Paramount+ currently trails behind major competitors like Netflix and Disney+, with subscriber numbers declining to 77.7 million as of June 30.

Under the new agreement, select UFC events will also simulcast on CBS. Mark Shapiro, president and COO of UFC’s parent company TKO Group, called the deal “a major win” for fans and athletes, promising broader reach and deeper engagement. Paramount also indicated interest in pursuing international UFC rights as they become available.

The deal is expected to reshape UFC’s distribution model in the U.S., eliminating pay-per-view and increasing accessibility for fans. It also coincides with political developments surrounding the merger, including past concessions by Paramount that allegedly helped gain regulatory approval.

In a symbolic gesture, the deal could culminate in a UFC event at the White House in July 2026, as part of the United States' 250th Independence Day celebrations. President Donald Trump, who has longstanding ties to UFC President Dana White and has attended several recent fights with Ellison, is reportedly planning the event.

Meanwhile, ESPN will shift focus to WWE, securing rights to major events like Wrestlemania and SummerSlam under a separate five-year agreement starting in 2026.