ESPN has inked a five-year $1.6 billion agreement with WWE to become the exclusive U.S. home for the company’s premium live events, including marquee spectacles like WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, and Survivor Series.
The deal kicks off in 2026, marking a departure from the events’ current streaming on NBCUniversal’s Peacock platform.
CM Punk delivers a flying cross-body to Seth “Freakin'” Rollins on Monday Night RAW on Netflix – YouTube, WWE
Under the terms, WWE will continue producing these high-profile shows—totaling around 10 annually—while ESPN gains the flexibility to offer pre- and post-event programming. There’s also potential for simulcasts on ESPN’s traditional linear channels, broadening accessibility for fans.
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro highlighted the appeal of WWE content in a recent discussion, noting its enduring popularity and ability to attract a broader demographic.
He described WWE events as “an extremely popular form of entertainment, and have stood the test of time.” He then went on to say, “ESPN always wants to expand its audience… and WWE is going to help us get younger. It’s going to help us get more diverse. It’s going to help us bring in more females.”
The Wyatt Sicks make their entrance on WWE RAW – YouTube, WWE On USA
Pitaro anticipates synergies, such as programming tie-ins with NBA stars, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (via his ESPN-linked UFL involvement), or Pat McAfee, who has deep WWE roots.
The agreement dovetails with the imminent rollout of ESPN’s new streamer ahead of the NFL season. Mirroring the boost UFC provided to ESPN+—both entities under TKO Group Holdings—this move aims to attract new subscribers.
TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro noted UFC’s growth under ESPN, stating it has resulted in the mixed-martial arts league “finding a new and expanded audience.” He added that aligning with ESPN’s nascent service “is really an opportunity we didn’t want to pass up.”
Former WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and his wife Brandy Rhodes at the opening of Epic Universe at Universal Orlando – Photo Credit: NBC Universal
Historical ESPN-WWE crossovers, like airing vintage WrestleMania episodes during the 2020 lockdowns to plug programming gaps, paved the way for this pact.
WWE President Nick Khan described the talks as “quick” and “robust in spirit,” forecasting that “we think our entire audience will travel and grow substantially.”
WWE’s media footprint stays diverse. NBCUniversal continues hosting Saturday Night’s Main Event and Friday Night SmackDown. Netflix secured global Monday Night Raw rights and international streaming for premium events, but the U.S. portion goes to ESPN. This is an unexpected departure from widespread predictions of a full Netflix migration, spurred by the Raw megadeal and existing overseas arrangements.
Hornswoggle faces off with The Great Khali – YouTube, WWE
Shapiro highlighted the allure of partnering with both platforms.
“These are two of the most predominant brands in all of sports and entertainment, two supernovas, if you will,” he said.
Deal finances weren’t initially disclosed, however subsequent reporting from CNBC reveals ESPN is paying an average of $325 million per year over five years, for a total of $1.625 billion. That’s nearly double Peacock’s previous $180 million annual deal.
Notably, ESPN’s UFC contract wraps in 2025, and Pitaro expressed interest in ongoing TKO ties.
Hulk Hogan makes his entrance as the WWF Champion – YouTube, WWE
“We take a ton of pride in how we’ve helped to grow the UFC, and we’re always proud to partner with TKO in some capacity,” he said. “And so I anticipate ongoing discussions with Mark and team, about meaningful ways that we can work together.”
Shapiro concurred, prioritizing a UFC-ESPN continuation given its “track record that has just been too strong.”
This unexpected alliance reshapes WWE’s U.S. streaming strategy, capitalizing on ESPN’s sports prowess while defying assumptions about Netflix dominance.
How do you feel about ESPN getting the WWE premium live events over Netflix? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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“and WWE is going to help us get younger. It’s going to help us get more diverse. It’s going to help us bring in more females”
If they haven’t gotten that audience by now, I really don’t think this is going to change that.
ESPN just doesn’t get it and that’s why this and their NFL deal are going to lose them money. People don’t tune in because their hosts like Stephen A. Smith are woke idiots who won’t stop injecting race and politics into everything. That’s it. Fire the hacks, lower the subscription price, and people might start coming back.
Why does every thing need to appeal to women? They have oodles of entertainment made strictly for them and nobody cares about needing to expand their audiences to entice more males…but anything with a primary male audience has to be tailored made for women and its killing all of entertainment.