ESPN Lands Exclusive WWE Streaming Deal from 2026

In a landmark announcement, ESPN and WWE have sealed a five-year agreement under which ESPN platforms, including its forthcoming direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service, will become the exclusive U.S. home for all WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs). This marks a strategic shift in streaming rights ahead of WrestleMania 42 in April 2026.

The deal, valued at approximately $1.6 billion over five years (about $325 million per year), represents a significant increase from WWE’s previous U.S. rights deal with Peacock, which was worth around $900 million total.

ESPN’s DTC service is slated to launch on August 21, 2025, with a subscription price of $29.99 per month, and will include access to all seven ESPN domestic networks plus ESPN on ABC. Some WWE PLEs may also simulcast on ESPN’s traditional linear channels.

Marquee events under the deal include:

• WrestleMania (two-night format)
• SummerSlam
• Royal Rumble
• Survivor Series
• Money in the Bank

WWE continues to produce all events, while ESPN handles exclusive U.S. streaming coverage. WWE President Nick Khan called it “a pivotal moment” in partnership with the “biggest brand in sports media” and Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN Chairman, said the deal will attract younger, more diverse audiences and further ESPN’s streaming expansion. Mark Shapiro, COO of WWE’s parent company TKO, noted this builds on their prior success with UFC programming on ESPN.

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