Paramount Seals $7.7B Deal for Exclusive UFC Streaming Rights

Paramount Global has secured the exclusive U.S. rights to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in a groundbreaking deal worth $7.7 billion over seven years, beginning in 2026. This agreement marks a major shift in UFC’s distribution, moving away from the traditional pay-per-view model currently offered by ESPN to a new streaming-focused strategy centered on Paramount’s platform, Paramount+. All 43 annual UFC live events, including 13 major numbered events and 30 Fight Nights, will be available exclusively on Paramount+ at no additional cost to subscribers, with select marquee events also simulcast on the CBS broadcast network.

The deal comes just days after Paramount completed its merger with Skydance Media and represents the company’s first major sports rights acquisition under its new leadership. Paramount CEO David Ellison emphasized the uniqueness of partnering exclusively with a global sports powerhouse like UFC, highlighting the move as a key part of Paramount’s strategy to enhance viewer engagement and grow its streaming subscriber base.

For UFC, the deal ends the pay-per-view model common in the sport, greatly increasing accessibility for fans and potentially expanding the sport’s U.S. audience. The contract also doubles the yearly average payment compared to the $550 million ESPN currently pays, reflecting the growing value and popularity of UFC content.

TKO Group Holdings, UFC’s parent company, sees this agreement as a milestone in their decade-long growth, with TKO’s CEO Ari Emanuel affirming trust in Paramount’s vision to leverage technology to improve storytelling and the viewing experience.

This landmark deal reflects the rapidly evolving sports media landscape, with streaming services increasingly vying for premium content to attract and retain subscribers. Paramount’s move to bring UFC to its platform exclusively is a strong statement of commitment to live sports as a vital driver of engagement in the streaming age.

Key Points:

• Paramount secured UFC U.S. media rights for $7.7 billion over 7 years, starting 2026.
• UFC events will be exclusively streamed on Paramount+, ending ESPN’s pay-per-view model.
• The deal includes 13 major numbered events and 30 Fight Nights annually.
• Some marquee events will also air on CBS broadcast TV.
• The yearly payment doubles ESPN’s previous contract.
• The deal was announced shortly after Paramount’s merger with Skydance.
• Paramount aims to use UFC to boost Paramount+ subscriber growth and engagement.
• TKO Group (UFC parent company) supports the deal and foresees enhanced tech-enabled storytelling.
• Streaming services continue to disrupt traditional sports broadcasting models.