A seven-year media rights deal was announced by Paramount, a Skydance Corporation, a high-end sports and entertainment corporation, which will make Paramount the sole venue for all UFC events in the United States.
Beginning in 2026, Paramount will exclusively distribute the entire UFC schedule, including 30 Fight Nights and 13 marquee numbered events, through its direct-to-consumer streaming service, Paramount+. A few numbered events will also be simulcast on CBS, Paramount’s top broadcast network.
As part of the deal, Paramount and the UFC will abandon the UFC’s current Pay-Per-View business model and instead offer these premium events to Paramount+’s large U.S. subscriber base for free. A major engine for increasing engagement and Paramount+’s subscription growth, this change in distribution approach will make sports fans more accessible and discoverable. As UFC rights become available in the future, Paramount plans to investigate them outside of the United States.
I am very thrilled to be working with Dana, Ari, and Mark. There are very few chances to collaborate exclusively with a major international sports organization like the UFC, which has exceptional scope, notoriety, and cultural influence, according to David Ellison, Paramount’s chairman and CEO. “Paramount’s edge is the wide audience our streaming and linear platforms can reach. Since live sports continue to be a key component of our overall strategy, adding the UFC’s year-round must-watch events to our platforms is a huge success. Live sports also drive engagement, subscription growth, and longevity. Millions of fans in the United States and possibly worldwide may soon be able to access this premium content.”
According to TKO CEO and Executive Chair Ariel Emanuel, “This is a historic moment and deal for UFC, solidifying its position as a preeminent global sports asset.” “This agreement is a significant manifestation of our strategy, which has been characterized by constant development and expansion throughout our ten-year adventure with UFC. We firmly believe in David’s mission and are eager to work with a company that will use technology to improve storytelling and the experience of watching.
According to TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro, “Paramount is a platinum partner with significant reach.” “With our new deal, TKO will have significant economic benefits for investors, more quality inventory for international brand partners, and increased interaction with the UFC’s ardent fan base for years to come. The fact that our sportsmen will adore this new stage is also essential.
The UFC is the top mixed martial arts (MMA) organization in the world. Over 350 hours of live event material are produced by the roughly 43 live UFC events that take place each year. In the United States, there are almost 100 million UFC fans who are very active on social, digital, and linear media. With programming that reaches nearly 950 million broadcast and digital households in over 210 countries and territories in 50 languages and a roster of roughly 600 of the top male and female MMA athletes from 75 countries, UFC is also one of the few truly international sports properties.
Beginning in 2026, the period spans seven years and has an average annual value (“AAV”) of $1.1 billion. The payment schedule in the contract leans more toward the latter half of the transaction.
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