A press release from UFC announced the news, with Paramount set to be the exclusive distributor of 13 marquee “numbered” events and 30 Fight Night shows via its Paramount+ platform, with select numbered events to be simulcast on Paramount’s leading broadcast network, CBS. The deal will last for seven years, starting in 2026.
The new deal will see the UFC depart from its long-established pay-per-view model for its big events, as it makes its marquee shows available to existing Paramount+ subscribers at no extra cost.
UFC CEO and President Dana White hailed the deal as a huge win for the UFC and its fighters, with the potential for events to be viewed by even bigger audiences in 2026 and beyond.
“This historic deal with Paramount and CBS is incredible for UFC fans and our athletes,” he said in a statement shared to his social media.
“For the first time ever, fans in the US will have access to all UFC content without a pay-per-view model, making it more affordable and accessible to view the greatest fights on a massive platform.
“This deal puts UFC amongst the biggest sports in the world. 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.”
Breaking News 🚨UFC has a new home in 2026 only on @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/FUQjemPnBS
— danawhite (@danawhite) August 11, 2025
The press release provides full details of the deal, and includes additional comments from TKO bosses Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro, as well as Chairman and CEO of Paramount, David Ellison:
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation, (“Paramount”) (NASDAQ: PSKY) and TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (“TKO”) (NYSE: TKO), a premium sports and entertainment company, today announced a seven-year media rights agreement in which Paramount will become the exclusive home of all UFC events in the U.S.
Starting in 2026, Paramount will exclusively distribute UFC’s full slate of 13 marquee numbered events and 30 Fight Nights via its direct-to-consumer streaming platform, Paramount+, with select numbered events to be simulcast on CBS, Paramount’s leading broadcast network.
As part of the agreement, UFC and Paramount will move away from UFC’s existing Pay-Per-View model in favor of making these premium events available at no additional cost to the expansive U.S. subscriber base of Paramount+.
This shift in distribution strategy will unlock greater accessibility and discoverability for sports fans and provide an important catalyst for driving engagement and further subscriber growth for Paramount+. Paramount intends to explore UFC rights outside the U.S. as they become available in the future.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join forces with Dana, Ari, and Mark. 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 David Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Paramount.
“Paramount’s advantage lies in the expansive reach of our linear and streaming platforms. Live sports continue to be a cornerstone of our broader strategy — driving engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty, and the addition of UFC’s year-round must-watch events to our platforms is a major win. We look forward to delivering this premium content to millions of fans in the U.S., and potentially beyond.”
“This is a milestone moment and landmark deal for UFC, solidifying its position as a preeminent global sports asset,” said Ariel Emanuel, Executive Chair and CEO, TKO.
“Our decade-long journey with UFC has been defined by continuous growth and expansion, and this agreement is an important realization of our strategy. We believe wholeheartedly in David’s vision and look forward to being in business with a company that will prioritize technology as a means to enhance storytelling and the overall viewing experience.”
“Paramount is a platinum partner with significant reach,” said Mark Shapiro, President and COO, TKO.
“Our new agreement unlocks powerful opportunities at TKO for years to come – meaningful economics for investors; expanded premium inventory for global brand partners; and deeper engagement for UFC’s passionate fanbase. Just as importantly, our athletes will love this new stage.”
