WWE premium live events to air on ESPN in 2026

WWE premium live events will be broadcast on ESPN as part of a new streaming agreement.

WWE premium live events move to ESPN starting in 2026

Beginning in 2026, WWE premium live events will be featured on ESPN's streaming service in the United States. This deal, valued at $1.6 billion over five years, entails airing select events on ESPN's linear networks. The agreement confirms that the upcoming WrestleMania in April is likely to be the first event under this partnership. Fans will need to subscribe to ESPN’s new service, which costs $29.99 monthly or $300 yearly, a shift from the current Peacock model. However, existing cable subscribers will retain access at no additional cost. The agreement ends WWE's previous $900 million deal with NBC Universal while sparking speculation about future content rights and the status of NXT events.

The decision to partner with ESPN marks a significant shift in how WWE engages its audience. By moving premium live events from Peacock to ESPN, WWE aims to leverage ESPN’s established sports brand. As streaming landscapes evolve, fans may face higher subscription costs, but they will benefit from enhanced access to live events. Additionally, the lack of NXT events in this deal opens up potential opportunities for TKO to negotiate additional rights, expanding their media portfolio. This transition presents both challenges and opportunities for WWE and its fans, as they adapt to the evolving media environment.

Highlights

This move may reshape how fans experience WWE events in the coming years.