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ESPN, WWE Reach Landmark Rights Agreement as ESPN Platforms Become Exclusive U.S. Domestic Home of All WWE Premium Live Events, Including WrestleMania, Starting in 2026
ESPN and WWE have reached a significant rights agreement that will make ESPN platforms the exclusive U.S. domestic home for all WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs) starting in 2026. This landmark deal, a collaboration between ESPN (a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and WWE (part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc.), positions the new ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming service as the go-to destination for the year’s most high-profile wrestling events.
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The new streaming service will air all of WWE’s annual PLEs in their entirety, with select events also being simulcast on ESPN’s linear television channels. The agreement covers marquee events such as the two-night cultural phenomena WrestleMania and SummerSlam, along with other major specials like Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank. While the distribution is shifting, WWE will continue to be responsible for the production of all its Premium Live Events.
Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN, highlighted the strategic importance of the deal. “WWE has an immense, devoted and passionate fanbase that we’re excited to super-serve on our new ESPN DTC platform,” Pitaro said. “This agreement, which features the most-significant WWE events of the year, bolsters our unprecedented content portfolio and helps drive our streaming future.”
Mark Shapiro, President and Chief Operating Officer of TKO, emphasized the cultural fit of the partnership. “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,” Shapiro stated. “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.”
Echoing the enthusiasm, WWE President Nick Khan called the agreement a “pivotal moment” for wrestling fans. “Bringing WWE’s flagship events to ESPN’s platform is tremendously exciting. We know the sky is the limit,” Khan said. In addition to the main events, ESPN platforms will also have the opportunity to stream pre- and post-event shows tied to all PLEs.
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