UFC president Dana White has called the promotion’s seven-year, $7.7 billion switch from ESPN to Paramount Plus “historic” and “incredible for fans and our athletes”.
From 2026, 13 numbered events and 30 Fight Night cards will air on the Paramount Plus streaming platform, ending the UFC’s long-established pay-per-view model, including a deal with ESPN since 2019.
“This deal puts UFC among the biggest sports in the world,” said White, adding that the agreement will “make it more affordable and accessible to view the greatest fights on a massive platform”.
“The exposure provided by the Paramount and CBS networks under this new structure is a huge win for our athletes and anyone who watches and loves this sport.”
UFC Paramount Plus deal
New Paramount chair and chief executive Mark Ellison partly pursued the deal in a bid to fill a sports programming gap during the summer, capitalizing on an estimated UFC audience of 100 million in the US.
“Rarely do opportunities arise to partner on an exclusive basis with a global sports powerhouse like UFC – an organization with extraordinary global recognition, scale, and cultural impact,” said Ellison.
The payment schedule for the contract is weighted more toward the back end of the deal.
How to watch UFC in the US: TV channel, live stream
ESPN currently have exclusive rights to the UFC in the US, showing via TV and mobile devices or web browser on Paramount+.
Pay-per-view events cost $79.99 each for subscribers. Plans start at $11.99 a month, with bundles available for specific sports.
How to watch UFC Fight Pass
The UFC has its own digital streaming service, promising behind the scenes, exclusive, and original content.
UFC Fight Pass subscribers can also access the Early Prelims from pay-per-view cards along with over more than 200 live events from promotions such as Invicta FC, Glory Kickboxing, Quintet (Team Submission Grappling), Eddie Bravo Invitational, Polaris and more.
UFC Fight Pass costs $9.99 a month or $95.99 annually.
