UFC’s new $7.7 billion deal with Paramount will stream all events on Paramount+ without additional pay-per-view costs, aiming to expand the sport’s reach significantly.
UFC 323 was a milestone event, marking the end of the ESPN era. The promotion is now set to embark on a new journey with Paramount starting in 2026.
Under this seven-year, $7.7 billion deal, all UFC events will stream on Paramount+ at no extra cost. No more paywalls for those big numbered events! UFC 324 kicks off in January with Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett and Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes.
Prices have soared over the years, but the UFC is ditching pay-per-view events. Dana White is optimistic, predicting massive growth for the sport over the next seven years.
“This is huge,” White said at the UFC 323 press conference. “It was $1,200 or $1,300 to be a fan this year. Next year? About $120 for the whole year.”
Exciting fights are on the horizon, with White teasing that the White House fight alone will be madness. Paramount plans to hike streaming prices in 2026, though details remain under wraps.
Currently, Paramount+ costs $12.99 without ads or $7.99 with ads. Still way cheaper than ESPN+ plus pay-per-view fees.
During negotiations, TKO Group Holdings considered splitting the deal among partners. Netflix was interested in major events, but Paramount swooped in, taking the whole package.
“We’re really lucky Paramount+ wanted everything,” White admitted. “Their team is fired up, and so are we.”
Though the deal starts in January, Paramount’s already promoting UFC heavily. Ads have been running during NFL games on CBS and Paramount+.
White announced the first UFC card for Paramount during the Thanksgiving NFL game, watched by 57.2 million people—the most-watched regular season game ever.
This exposure is bound to boost the UFC’s profile during the broadcast deal. “The spend they’re doing is incredible,” White noted. “It’s only going to get bigger.”