Paramount acquires UFC rights in 7-year cope with TKO Group

Paramount will change into the brand new residence to all Final Combating Championship occasions within the U.S. underneath a seven-year settlement with TKO Group introduced on Monday.

Underneath the deal, Paramount will completely distribute the UFC’s full slate of its 13 marquee numbered occasions and 30 “Struggle Nights” on its streaming platform Paramount+ — with choose numbered occasions additionally set to simulcast on CBS — beginning in 2026.

It is a shift away from the UFC’s current pay-per-view mannequin, which Paramount and TKO say will permit the blended martial arts programming attain extra shoppers nationwide.

“Paramount’s benefit lies within the expansive attain of our linear and streaming platforms,” David Ellison, chairman and CEO of Paramount, stated in a press release. “Dwell sports activities proceed to be a cornerstone of our broader technique — driving engagement, subscriber development, and long-term loyalty, and the addition of UFC’s year-round must-watch occasions to our platforms is a serious win.”

Mark Shapiro, president and COO of TKO, added that the deal will imply “deeper engagement for UFC’s passionate fan base” and that its athletes “will love this new stage.”

The seven-year deal has a mean annual worth of $1.1 billion, the businesses stated Monday.

Paramount, now owned by Skydance, additionally stated it intends to discover UFC rights exterior the U.S. “as they change into out there sooner or later.”

Shares of TKO — which, along with the UFC, additionally homes the WWE — rose 1.4% in premarket buying and selling Monday.

CBS Information and Paramount+ are owned by Paramount World.