Paramount and TKO Group have announced a significant seven-year agreement granting Paramount exclusive rights to all Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events in the United States starting in 2026. Under this deal, Paramount will distribute the UFC’s entire schedule, including 13 major numbered events and 30 "Fight Nights," predominantly via its streaming service Paramount+. Additionally, select major events will be simulcast on the CBS network, also owned by Paramount. This partnership marks a departure from the UFC’s traditional pay-per-view model, aiming to expand audience reach through Paramount’s combined linear and streaming platforms.

The agreement is valued at an average annual worth of $1.1 billion, totaling approximately $7.7 billion over its duration. Notably, the payment schedule is weighted towards the later years of the contract. This major deal represents an early strategic achievement for David Ellison, the newly appointed chairman and CEO of Paramount, who took up the position shortly before the announcement. Ellison highlighted the UFC as a "unique sports asset" that will bolster Paramount’s live sports programming—a vital component of its broader strategy to drive engagement, subscriber growth, and viewer loyalty.

The seven-year deal reflects Paramount’s ambition to become a leading destination for sports streaming and broadcasting, enhancing its competitive position in the streaming wars. The move is expected to help Paramount+ grow its subscriber base substantially by leveraging UFC’s passionate global fan base, whose engagement is known to be strong and year-round. Mark Shapiro, president and COO of TKO Group—which also owns WWE—commented that the deal offers deeper engagement opportunities for UFC fans and a new stage for the athletes to showcase their talents.

Beyond U.S. rights, Paramount expressed interest in securing UFC broadcasting rights internationally as they become available, signaling global expansion aspirations. Following the announcement, TKO Group’s shares—which include both UFC and WWE assets—rose by 1.4% in premarket trading. Paramount’s streaming audience, as measured by Nielsen data, is currently smaller compared to competitors like Netflix and YouTube, but this UFC deal is expected to enhance the platform’s visibility and viewer share in the competitive media landscape.