WWE and ESPN have announced a major rights agreement that will shift all WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs) — including WrestleMania — to ESPN platforms starting in 2026. The move makes ESPN the exclusive U.S. home for WWE’s biggest annual events.
The deal covers major events such as WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank. All PLEs will stream in full on ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer (DTC) platform (full details here), with select events also airing on ESPN’s linear TV channels. WWE will continue producing all events.
Breaking News: WWE Premium Live Events are headed to @espn platforms in the U.S. starting in 2026 pic.twitter.com/uD4KOiQYBg
— WWE (@WWE) August 6, 2025
Streaming-First Deal for ESPN
Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN, said the deal is designed to boost ESPN’s DTC efforts:
“WWE has an immense, devoted and passionate fanbase that we’re excited to super-serve on our new ESPN DTC platform,” he said in a statement. “This agreement, which features the most-significant WWE events of the year, bolsters our unprecedented content portfolio and helps drive our streaming future.”
TKO Sees Opportunity
Mark Shapiro, President and COO of WWE parent company TKO Group, pointed to ESPN’s impact on UFC as a sign of things to come:
“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,” said Shapiro. “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.”
WWE Confirms Long-Term Vision
WWE President Nick Khan called the deal a significant step:
“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,” said Khan.
What’s Included
- All Premium Live Events (including two-night WrestleMania and SummerSlam)
- Events available in full on ESPN’s streaming service
- Some events simulcast on ESPN cable channels
- Pre- and post-event coverage also part of the deal
WWE content will begin appearing on ESPN platforms in 2026.
All of ESPN. All in One Place. Coming Soon.
For the first time ever, ESPN will offer its full suite of networks and services directly to fans, along with an enhanced ESPN App that integrates game stats, betting information, fantasy sports, commerce, multiview options and a personalized SportsCenter For You. Designed to give fans more choice, flexibility and access to all of ESPN, these new features and functionality will be available to all fans who watch on the ESPN App on mobile and connected TV devices, whether they subscribe directly or through a traditional pay TV package.
