Paramount and CBS will be the new home for all UFC events in the United States in 2026.
UFC CEO Dana White revealed on Monday that he had landed a seven-year deal with Paramount – at an average of $1.1 billion per year – for the US rights to his promotion.
According to a UFC press release, all numbered events and Fight Nights will stream live on Paramount+.
The streaming service will exclusively distribute ’13 marquee numbered events and 30 Fight Nights’ from 2026, meaning the UFC will no longer operate under a pay-per-view model.
What did Dana White say about UFC’s new broadcast deal?
“The historic deal for Paramount and CBS fans is incredible for UFC fans and our athletes,” White said.
“For the first time ever, fans in the US will have access to all UFC content without a pay-per-view model, making it more affordable and accessible to view the greatest fights on a massive platform.”
“This deal puts UFC amongst the biggest sports in the world. The exposure provided by the Paramount and CBS networks under this new structure is a huge win for our athletes and anyone who watches and loves this sport.”
Nothing has changed for UK fans, and they can still access UFC events through TNT Sports.
The UFC’s deal, however, comes as a great surprise to American fans – and not only because the pay-per-view model will no longer exist from 2026.
UFC fans would’ve previously had to pay extra for the marquee numbered events, just like they will have to do for Dricus Du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 this Saturday.
From January 1, 2026, fans in America will now just need access to Paramount+, where plans start at $7.99 per month, to watch every UFC event.
Members of the MMA world were also shocked to learn that Paramount and CBS had landed the exclusive rights.
UFC and Paramount Historic UFC Media Rights Agreement
Details
- Seven-year term
- Begins in 2026
- Average annual value of $1.1 billion
- The contract’s payment schedule is weighted more toward the back end of the deal
- 13 marquee events
- 30 Fight Nights
- No more PPV model
Last week, COO at TKO Group Holdings (owner of the UFC), Mark Shapiro, provided a fresh update on the promotion’s rights deal, saying the UFC were ‘in the home stretch’ in finalising one.
Reports had suggested that ESPN appeared to be ‘furthest along’ in renewing their UFC deal, having held the rights to PPV and Fight Night events since 2019.
However, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and a new wildcard in Warner Bros. Discovery were also at the table in terms of negotiations.
But all of the aforementioned streaming platforms have all missed out, and it is Paramount+ that will spearhead the UFC into a new era in 2026.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join forces with [the UFC],” Chairman and CEO of Paramount David Ellison, said.
“Rarely do opportunities arise to partner on an exclusive basis with a global sports powerhouse like UFC – an organisation with extraordinary global recognition, scale, and cultural impact.”
Executive Chair and CEO of TKO Ariel Emanuel added: “This is a milestone moment and landmark deal for UFC, solidifying its position as a preeminent global sports asset.
“Our decade-long journey with UFC has been defined by continuous growth and expansion, and this agreement is an important realisation of our strategy.
“We believe wholeheartedly in David’s vision and look forward to being in business with a company that will prioritise technology as a means to enhance storytelling and the overall viewing experience.”
How much did Dana White buy the UFC for?
White, alongside Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, bought the UFC for $2 million in 2001.
Their remaining stakes in the promotion were sold at a $5 billion valuation in August 2017.
This left White’s ownership at 9% under the new agreement, which is said to have made him $360m.
Emanuel’s mention of prioritising technology is notable, given the news of the UFC’s new broadcast partner comes four months after White partnered with Mark Zuckerberg to incorporate Meta’s technology in his promotion.
White made the groundbreaking announcement in April, declaring Meta as his promotion’s ‘first-ever official fan technology partner.’