Paramount has secured exclusive U.S. rights to the UFC in a landmark $7.7 billion, seven-year deal starting in 2026, the companies announced Monday. The agreement will make all UFC events available to Paramount+ subscribers, with select numbered events airing on CBS, eliminating the traditional pay-per-view model.
“This historic deal… is a huge win for our athletes and anyone who watches and loves this sport,” UFC president Dana White said, noting it will make fights more affordable and widely accessible. ESPN, UFC’s current rightsholder, has used a pay-per-view model during its five-year tenure, paying an average of $500 million annually. That deal ends this year.
The announcement follows Paramount’s merger with Skydance and aligns UFC with a portfolio of major sports properties including the NFL, UEFA, the Masters, and March Madness. CBS will air the Super Bowl in 2028, during the second year of the deal.
TKO Group, which owns both UFC and WWE, is also in talks about acquiring UFC’s international rights. The move comes days after WWE signed a $1.6 billion streaming deal with ESPN for its premium events.
