WWE’s Premium Live Events to Move to ESPN Platforms in 2026 Under New Multi-Billion Dollar Deal
Beginning in 2026, ESPN will become the exclusive U.S. home for all WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs), including high-profile titles such as WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series. The move follows a newly announced five-year agreement between ESPN and WWE’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, valued at approximately $1.6 billion, according to reporting from the Los Angeles Times.
The new deal will bring WWE’s top live programming to ESPN’s forthcoming standalone streaming service, which launches on August 21 and will cost $29.99 per month. The agreement ends WWE’s current run on NBCUniversal’s Peacock, where its PLEs have streamed since 2021.
In addition to exclusive streaming rights, ESPN will also have access to WWE’s pre- and post-event programming and will simulcast select PLEs on its traditional television channels. The annual lineup includes 10 major events, several of which are structured as two-night broadcasts.
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro cited WWE’s audience demographics—including a younger, more diverse viewership and a higher percentage of female fans than ESPN typically draws—as a strategic factor in the deal. In comments to The Hollywood Reporter and other outlets, Pitaro emphasized WWE’s potential to support long-term subscriber retention for the company’s new digital platform, particularly during the off-season for traditional sports.
WWE President Nick Khan described the agreement as a significant development for the brand’s U.S. distribution, referring to ESPN as “the biggest name in sports media.” TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro noted the existing relationship between ESPN and UFC, also under the TKO umbrella, as a factor that demonstrated ESPN’s value as a content partner.
The announcement was made alongside news of ESPN’s expanded relationship with the NFL, which includes a 10% equity stake in ESPN and the transfer of media assets such as NFL Network and NFL RedZone. Both NFL and WWE content will be part of ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer offering, housed within a redesigned ESPN app that will also integrate features like live stats, fantasy sports, and multiview options.
Internationally, Netflix will become the home for WWE’s weekly programming in most markets beginning in 2025. Domestically, the new ESPN partnership marks the latest shift in WWE’s streaming strategy as the company continues to move its flagship events to platforms with broad sports reach.
Additional details about the new ESPN streaming service and its bundling options with Disney+ and Hulu are expected in the coming weeks.
For continued coverage of WWE’s evolving media strategy and other entertainment industry developments, follow updates here on Trevor Decker News.
