The UFC has signed a staggering $7.7 billion, seven‑year streaming deal with Paramount Skydance, effective 2026. This deal moves all U.S. UFC events to Paramount+, with select major cards simulcast on CBS, which could signal the end of the traditional pay-per-view (PPV) model.
UFC President Dana White celebrated the agreement as a win-win for both fans and fighters, highlighting affordable access and broader reach. Remarkably, the deal was hammered out in just 48 hours, driven in part by Paramount CEO David Ellison’s influence following the Skydance merger.
Financially, the arrangement represents a nearly 1,000 percent increase over UFC’s previous rights deal with ESPN, signaling Paramount’s aggressive push into live sports as a growth lever. Under the terms, Paramount+ subscribers gain access to all 13 numbered UFC events and 30 Fight Nights annually, with no additional fees, plus free broadcasts on CBS for select flagship matches.
Longtime PPV contributors like fighters and promoters now await clarity on how revenue models will change. White has reassured stakeholders that visibility and earnings potential will rise, despite historic concerns over fighter compensation.
The deal could be a symbol of a cultural shift. UFC continues its meteoric rise into mainstream entertainment, driven by deepening ties with media power brokers and political spheres ft.com. The timing aligns neatly with the planned July 4, 2026 UFC event on the White House South Lawn, underscoring the brand’s evolution from niche sport to national spectacle.
As UFC exits the PPV cage and enters streaming’s future, one thing’s clear: the Octagon is going prime-time, in one dramatic, game-changing leap.
