Paramount has struck a seven-year deal to become the exclusive U.S. home of UFC events starting in 2026, replacing the sport’s current pay-per-view model.
The agreement, worth an average of $1.1 billion US ($1.5 billion CAD) per year, will see all 13 numbered UFC events and 30 Fight Nights each year streamed on Paramount+. Some numbered events will also air on CBS. The total value is $7.7 billion over seven years.
Under the new setup, UFC’s biggest events will be available to Paramount+ subscribers in the U.S. at no extra charge, ending the pay-per-view requirement. Paramount says it will look at acquiring UFC rights in other countries, including Canada, when they become available.
“This is a milestone moment and landmark deal for UFC, solidifying its position as a preeminent global sports asset,” said Ariel Emanuel, executive chair and CEO of TKO Group Holdings.
The UFC, which stages about 43 live events each year, says it has around 100 million fans in the U.S. and a global reach of nearly 950 million households across more than 210 countries.
The deal runs from 2026 through 2033, with payments weighted toward the later years of the contract (now if only the fighters got paid more).
Okay, so you’re probably wondering, what about Canada? Can you watch UFC on Paramount+ Canada? Not so fast, as Rogers Sportsnet holds the exclusive UFC broadcasting rights, secured in a deal signed in 2024, and this agreement remains unaffected by the Paramount deal. So that means you’ll likely still have to use the pay-per-view model in Canada for UFC fights.
There’s no indication UFC’s Canadian broadcasts will change until Sportsnet’s current deal ends. After that, a wider international agreement could be on the table, though Paramount+ already operates in Canada. Sportsnet’s last UFC deal ran from 2011 to 2014, so the current multi-year contract is likely similar—potentially lasting until the end of 2027.
This UFC-Paramount deal is another sign of major streamers snapping up pro sports rights, adding pressure on traditional broadcasters.
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