Los Angles- US- August 12, 2025
In a monumental shift for the world of combat sports, Paramount has acquired the exclusive U.S. media rights to all UFC events in a new seven-year deal valued at a staggering $7.7 billion. The agreement, which takes effect in 2026, will see all 13 of the promotion’s marquee numbered events and 30 “Fight Nights” exclusively streamed on Paramount+, with select numbered events also simulcast on the CBS broadcast network. The most significant element of the deal is the end of the long-standing pay-per-view (PPV) model in the U.S., making all premium UFC events available to Paramount+ subscribers at no additional cost.
The announcement comes just days after Paramount completed its merger with Skydance Media and represents the first major strategic move by the newly formed media giant. The deal, which has an average annual value of $1.1 billion, more than doubles the value of UFC’s previous agreement with ESPN. The shift away from PPV is a massive change for the UFC and is expected to expand the sport’s reach and accessibility to a much broader audience.
TKO Group, the parent company of the UFC and WWE, has framed the deal as a “milestone moment” that solidifies the UFC’s position as a premier global sports asset. In a statement, TKO’s Executive Chair and CEO, Ariel Emanuel, noted that the agreement “unlocks powerful opportunities” for the company, its athletes, and the fanbase. TKO’s President and COO, Mark Shapiro, also expressed enthusiasm for the new partnership, citing Paramount’s willingness to abandon the PPV model as a key factor in their decision. He told a news outlet that the company was “attracted to the opportunity to show UFC on CBS, along with Paramount’s willingness to abandon pay-per-view.”
For fans, this move is a game-changer. Under the previous ESPN deal, numbered events were sold on a PPV basis for approximately $80 each, a cost that added up for dedicated followers of the sport. Now, these events will be included as part of a standard Paramount+ subscription, which has monthly pricing plans ranging from $5.99 to $11.99. This change could save regular viewers hundreds of dollars annually and is seen as a major win for the fanbase.
The deal also provides a significant boost for Paramount as it looks to compete in the crowded streaming landscape. By securing one of the most popular and consistent live sports properties, the company aims to drive subscriber growth and reduce churn, a key challenge for all streaming services. The year-round nature of UFC events ensures that Paramount+ will have a steady flow of fresh, engaging content, keeping subscribers tethered to the platform.
The new agreement with Paramount is only for U.S. media rights, and the UFC will continue to negotiate separate deals in other international territories as they become available. With this historic new partnership, the UFC and Paramount are poised to reshape the way mixed martial arts is consumed in the United States, ushering in a new era of accessibility for one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.
