ESPN, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, and WWE, part of TKO Group, have announced a rights agreement as ESPN platforms, including the new ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming service, will become the exclusive US domestic home of all WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs) starting in 2026.

The ESPN DTC service will stream all WWE PLEs annually, in their entirety, with select simulcasting on ESPN linear platforms. Marquee PLEs include WrestleMania and SummerSlam – both now two-night events – as well as Royal Rumble, Survivor Series and Money in the Bank among others. WWE will continue to produce all PLEs.

Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN, commneted: “WWE has an immense, devoted and passionate fanbase that we’re excited to super-serve on our new ESPN DTC platform. This agreement, which features the most-significant WWE events of the year, bolsters our unprecedented content portfolio and helps drive our streaming future.”

Mark Shapiro, President and Chief Operating Officer, TKO, said: “We are proud to reinforce the ‘E’ in ESPN at such an exciting juncture in its direct-to-consumer journey. WWE Premium Live Events are renowned for exactly the type of rich storytelling, incredible feats of athleticism and can’t-miss, cultural tentpole experiences that have become synonymous with ESPN. Through our UFC relationship, we have experienced firsthand how transformational an ESPN presence can be, and we know this will be an exceptional partnership at a time of great innovation for both companies.”

Nick Khan, President, WWE, added: “WWE’s agreement with ESPN is a pivotal moment for our millions of fans across the United States: the leader in sports entertainment partnering with the biggest brand in sports media. Bringing WWE’s flagship events to ESPN’s platform is tremendously exciting. We know the sky is the limit.”

ESPN platforms, including its DTC service, will have the opportunity to stream WWE’s pre-and post-event shows tied to all Premium Live Events.

This new ESPN deal will start following the end of a five-year deal with NBC’s Peacock where PLEs cost $10. ESPN will reportedly pay WWE $1.6 billion over five years for the PLE rights, with a subscription to ESPN’s streaming service costing $29.99 per month.

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Tags: ESPN, Royal Rumble, Summerslam, wrestlemania, wwe