ESPN Secures Exclusive U.S. Rights for WWE Live Events Starting 2026

ESPN has solidified its position in the sports entertainment landscape, announcing a landmark five-year deal to become the exclusive U.S. home for all of WWE’s premier live events, commencing in 2026. This significant agreement will see major spectacles like WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, and Survivor Series transition from NBCUniversal’s Peacock to ESPN’s forthcoming streaming service.

The move underscores ESPN’s strategic ambition to broaden its audience reach. Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN, highlighted WWE’s enduring popularity and its potential to attract a younger, more diverse, and female demographic to the platform. The deal also opens avenues for cross-promotional content, potentially involving NBA stars, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Pat McAfee.

ESPN’s new dedicated streaming outlet is set to launch ahead of the upcoming NFL season, with WWE serving as a key pillar alongside existing properties like UFC. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Sports (parent company of WWE and UFC), emphasized the strategic advantage of partnering with ESPN’s new service early on.

While ESPN gains exclusivity for premium live events in the U.S., WWE maintains its broader distribution strategy. NBCUniversal will continue to air “Saturday Night’s Main Event” and “Friday Night SmackDown” through its various outlets. Additionally, Netflix will stream “Monday Night Raw” globally and “SmackDown” and premium live events outside the U.S., creating a coordinated global presence for WWE’s diverse programming. This comprehensive rights pact is poised to significantly expand WWE’s audience and bolster ESPN’s streaming portfolio.

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