In a seismic shift for combat sports, UFC announces an exclusive seven-year streaming agreement with Paramount+ beginning in 2026, making all events available without additional pay-per-view fees.
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Paramount and TKO Group Holdings announced today a groundbreaking seven-year media rights agreement worth $1.1 billion annually, fundamentally reshaping how American fans consume mixed martial arts. Starting in 2026, all UFC numbered events and Fight Nights will stream exclusively on Paramount+, with select marquee fights simulcast on CBS.
The End of Pay-Per-View Dominance
The most revolutionary aspect of this deal eliminates UFC’s traditional pay-per-view model for U.S. audiences. All 13 numbered events and 30 Fight Nights will be included at no additional cost to Paramount+ subscribers, representing a massive shift in combat sports accessibility.
“This is a milestone moment and landmark deal for UFC, solidifying its position as a preeminent global sports asset,” said Ariel Emanuel, Executive Chair and CEO of TKO. “Our decade-long journey with UFC has been defined by continuous growth and expansion, and this agreement is an important realization of our strategy.”
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Paramount’s Strategic Sports Investment
David Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Paramount, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: “I couldn’t be more excited to join forces with Dana, Ari, and Mark. 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.”
Ellison emphasized Paramount’s strategic advantage: “Paramount’s advantage lies in the expansive reach of our linear and streaming platforms. Live sports continue to be a cornerstone of our broader strategy — driving engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty, and the addition of UFC’s year-round must-watch events to our platforms is a major win. We look forward to delivering this premium content to millions of fans in the U.S., and potentially beyond.”
The deal leverages Paramount’s dual-platform approach, utilizing both its streaming service and broadcast network to maximize reach. Select numbered events will simulcast on CBS, bringing UFC’s biggest fights to traditional television audiences while driving Paramount+ subscriptions.
Global Reach Meets Premium Content
UFC’s massive global footprint makes this partnership particularly valuable:
- 100 million U.S. fans are highly engaged across all platforms
- 950 million broadcast households in 210+ countries and territories
- 43 annual live events delivering 350+ hours of content
- 600 world-class athletes representing 75 countries
Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO, highlighted the deal’s comprehensive benefits: “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.”
Financial Structure and Timeline
The seven-year agreement carries an average annual value of $1.1 billion, with payments weighted toward the contract’s backend. This structure suggests confidence in UFC’s continued growth and Paramount’s long-term streaming strategy.
🎬 PARAMOUNT+ EXCLUSIVE UFC ACCESS
🥊STREAM EVERY FIGHT, EVERY MOMENT, EVERY CHAMPION
🎯 WHAT YOU GET:
- All 13 numbered UFC events – No additional fees
- 30 Fight Nights annually – Complete access
- Select fights on CBSÂ – Dual viewing options
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content
- Fighter documentaries and specials
📱 SIGN UP NOW:
- Visit:Â ParamountPlus.com/UFC
- Download:Â Paramount+ app for instant access
- Special Offer:Â First month free with code FIGHTNIGHT
🚨 2026 LAUNCH – BE READY FOR THE NEW ERA OF UFC! 🚨
The agreement positions both companies for sustained growth in the evolving sports media landscape, where streaming platforms increasingly compete for premium live content.
Industry Impact and Future Implications
This deal represents the largest media rights agreement in UFC history and signals a broader industry shift away from traditional pay-per-view models. The move could influence how other combat sports and premium events approach distribution strategies.
Paramount intends to explore international UFC rights as they become available, potentially expanding this partnership’s global reach beyond the initial U.S. focus.
The UFC-Paramount partnership doesn’t just change how fans watch fights—it revolutionizes the entire combat sports viewing experience for the streaming era.
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