UFC -Paramount+ $7.7 Billion Deal in U.S.: What’s included and will fans face higher costs for live sports?

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has signed a landmark broadcast agreement with Paramount Global that will fundamentally alter how fans in the United States watch mixed martial arts. Under the $7.7 billion arrangement, set to run for seven years from 2026, every UFC event will be streamed live on Paramount Plus and select fight nights will also air on CBS, ending the promotion’s decades-long reliance on the Pay-Per-View model, as per a report by The Express.

From Pay-Per-View to Streaming Mainstream

The new UFC Paramount deal signals a significant shift in strategy for the Las Vegas-based fight organisation. While ESPN has been the exclusive U.S. rights holder since 2019, UFC events, particularly its numbered cards, remained locked behind PPV pricing, often costing fans upwards of $80 per event.

Industry speculation had centred on whether Netflix might step in as the next partner when the current contract expires at the end of 2025, according to a report by The Express. Instead, the UFC opted for Paramount Global, in a move seen as a decisive bet on streaming growth and mass accessibility.

What the Agreement Covers

Under the terms of the UFC Paramount Plus partnership, all UFC content in the U.S., including Fight Nights, numbered events, and preliminaries, will be available to subscribers at no additional cost beyond their monthly Paramount Plus fee, as mentioned in a report by The Express.

CBS, Paramount’s flagship broadcast network, will televise select cards as part of the deal, bringing the sport to a broader free-to-air audience.

However, the agreement applies solely to domestic rights. The UFC will continue to explore separate arrangements for its international broadcast packages, meaning markets in Europe, Asia, and Latin America could see different partners.

Dana White: A ‘Huge Win’ for Fans and Fighters

UFC President Dana White hailed the agreement as “historic,” emphasising both fan accessibility and potential benefits for athletes.

“For the first time ever, fans in the U.S. will have access to all UFC content without a Pay-Per-View model,” White said. “It makes it more affordable and accessible to watch the greatest fights on a massive platform. The exposure provided by Paramount and CBS is a huge win for our athletes and anyone who loves this sport.”

White also hinted that the influx of revenue could lead to increased fighter purses, a topic that has been a point of contention in recent years.

Paramount’s Big Push into Live Sports

The deal reflects a broader push by Paramount into the live sports arena, a sector increasingly viewed as essential to streaming growth. Paramount CEO and Chairman David Ellison, who also leads Skydance Media, said the UFC tie-up aligns with the company’s long-term strategy.

“Live sports continue to be a cornerstone of our broader strategy — driving engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty,” Ellison noted. “The addition of UFC’s year-round must-watch events to our platforms is a major win. We look forward to delivering this premium content to millions of fans in the U.S., and potentially beyond.”

Impact on Paramount and TKO Stock

Market watchers say the announcement could have implications for both Paramount stock and TKO stock, the latter being the publicly listed entity that houses UFC and WWE. Increased subscriber numbers for Paramount Plus and expanded advertising inventory on CBS could provide an immediate boost to Paramount’s valuation.

For TKO Holdings, the guaranteed $7.7 billion inflow over seven years offers stability and a strong bargaining position in other media rights negotiations. Analysts also suggest that the consistent, subscription-based revenue stream may smooth out the volatility often seen with PPV-dependent earnings.

Why This Matters for Fight Fans

For U.S.-based fans, the change is seismic. The traditional PPV model has long been a barrier to casual viewers, who might hesitate to spend heavily on individual events. By moving to a subscription platform, UFC fights could see a surge in viewership, particularly for undercard bouts and emerging talent.

The CBS broadcasts are also expected to introduce the sport to households that may never have tuned into a PPV before. For the UFC, that broader exposure could translate into higher merchandise sales, event attendance, and sponsorship value.

FAQs

What is the new UFC–Paramount Plus deal?

The UFC has signed a $7.7 billion, seven-year agreement with Paramount Global, starting in 2026. The deal will make all UFC events available live on Paramount Plus in the U.S., with select fight nights also airing on CBS.

When does the new broadcasting agreement take effect?

The UFC Paramount Plus deal will begin in 2026, after the current UFC–ESPN contract expires at the end of 2025.