The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is scheduled to transition to Paramount+ and CBS starting in 2026. The organization has reportedly reached an unprecedented seven-year agreement with the media conglomerate, valued at $7.7 billion, as announced by both UFC President Dana White and Paramount on Monday.
Dana White publicly acknowledged the agreement through an Instagram post, stating that it “places the UFC among the most prominent sports globally.”
His comprehensive statement read:
“This landmark agreement with Paramount and CBS marks a significant milestone for UFC enthusiasts and our competitors. For the first time, US-based fans will gain access to all UFC content without the pay-per-view framework, making it more accessible and cost-effective to experience the premier fights on a major platform. This arrangement elevates the UFC to the ranks of the world’s leading sports. The exposure facilitated by Paramount and CBS networks within this novel structure represents a substantial advantage for our competitors and all who appreciate and engage with the sport.”
Paramount verified the duration and financial terms of the agreement in a press release issued on Monday. Although the average yearly expenditure for the agreement is $1.1 billion, the payment arrangement is structured to allocate lower payments in the initial stages of the deal.
The agreement exclusively covers UFC’s rights within the United States. Paramount has expressed interest in acquiring the organization’s international rights once they become available, as stated in Monday’s release.
This transition signifies a bold and innovative step for the UFC. Under the revised agreement, the pay-per-view model will be discontinued. All UFC events, including 13 numbered events and 30 Fight Nights, will be incorporated into a standard subscription with Paramount+. Certain numbered events will be broadcast concurrently on CBS.
Under the UFC’s previous rights agreement, premium events were exclusively accessible through pay-per-view. Fans seeking to view events under the UFC’s current rights agreement are required to possess an ESPN+ subscription and incur an additional fee of $79.99 for premium UFC fights. This model will persist through 2025, implying that fans intending to view UFC 319 on Saturday will still be required to adhere to the existing process.
Beginning in 2026, access to UFC events for all fans will necessitate solely a subscription to Paramount+.
