WWE and ESPN have sealed a five-year, $1.6 billion media rights agreement that positions ESPN as the exclusive U.S. home for all WWE Premium Live Events starting in 2026. This deal, valued at an average of $325 million per year, marks a significant leap from WWE’s previous $900 million agreement with NBCUniversal’s Peacock, promising to elevate the reach and impact of iconic events like WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank. Here’s everything you need to know about this game-changing partnership and its implications for fans, WWE, and ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer streaming service.
A New Era for WWE Premium Live Events
The agreement will see all 10 of WWE’s annual PLEs stream exclusively on ESPN’s DTC platform, launching August 21, 2025, at $29.99 per month. Select events will also simulcast on ESPN’s linear networks, ensuring broad accessibility for cable subscribers at no additional cost. Unlike the previous Peacock deal, which required a separate subscription, this partnership integrates WWE’s marquee events into ESPN’s streaming ecosystem, offering fans a seamless viewing experience alongside ESPN’s extensive sports content.
WWE will continue to produce its PLEs, maintaining creative control over its signature storytelling and athletic spectacles. Additionally, ESPN platforms will stream pre- and post-event shows for all PLEs, enhancing the fan experience with exclusive content like behind-the-scenes coverage and analysis. This move aligns with ESPN’s strategy to bolster its streaming service with high-profile, fan-driven content as it competes in the evolving digital media landscape.
What WWE Gets
The partnership nearly doubles the value of WWE’s U.S. PLE rights, jumping from $180 million annually with Peacock to $325 million per year with ESPN. This financial boost, coupled with WWE’s existing $5 billion Netflix deal for Monday Night Raw and international PLEs, solidifies its position as a global sports entertainment powerhouse. WWE President Nick Khan called the agreement a “pivotal moment” for fans, highlighting the synergy between the leader in sports entertainment and the biggest brand in sports media.
The deal also streamlines WWE’s production obligations. Unlike the Peacock agreement, which required 250 hours of ancillary programming and five documentaries annually, the ESPN deal focuses solely on PLEs, reducing costs while maintaining high visibility. Friday Night SmackDown will remain on USA Network and Peacock through 2029, and NXT will continue on The CW, ensuring WWE’s broad media presence across multiple platforms.
What ESPN Gets
For ESPN, this deal is a strategic play to drive subscriptions to its DTC service, set to launch just weeks after the announcement. By securing WWE’s PLEs, ESPN taps into a loyal fanbase and diversifies its content beyond traditional sports. TKO President Mark Shapiro, whose company owns both WWE and UFC, noted that WWE’s “rich storytelling” and “cultural tentpole experiences” align perfectly with ESPN’s brand identity. The success of UFC on ESPN platforms serves as a blueprint, with Shapiro calling the partnership “transformational” for both companies.
The timing is critical, as ESPN’s UFC rights deal expires in 2025, making WWE a valuable asset to maintain its combat sports portfolio. The addition of WWE content is expected to reduce subscriber churn and attract new demographics, particularly younger viewers and women, while reinforcing the “E” (entertainment) in ESPN’s legacy.
What’s Next?
Starting in 2026, fans can look forward to experiencing WWE’s biggest events on ESPN’s platforms, with the DTC service launching on August 21, 2025. The agreement runs through 2030, promising five years of blockbuster moments, from Royal Rumble surprises to WrestleMania main events. As WWE continues to expand its media portfolio with Netflix, The CW, and NBCUniversal, this ESPN deal cements its dominance in sports entertainment.
