Paramount has acquired exclusive U.S. rights to TKO Group’s UFC for seven years starting in 2026, paying an average of $1.1 billion annually, according to CNBC. Paramount will pay an average of $1.1 billion annually, totaling $7.7 billion, for UFC’s full slate of 13 marquee events and 30 “Fight Nights.” All matches streaming on Paramount+ and select events simulcast on CBS. The agreement eliminates pay-per-view fees for premium UFC fights, a shift from ESPN+’s model under its $500 million-a-year deal expiring in 2025. Paramount CEO David Ellison called UFC a rare “unicorn asset,” citing the scarcity of major sports rights coming to market. The deal was finalized within 48 hours of Skydance’s takeover of Paramount and follows TKO’s $1.6 billion WWE rights deal with ESPN. Paramount also plans to pursue UFC’s international rights as they become available.
