WWE will be exclusively streaming all of its major premium live events in the United States on ESPN beginning in 2026, marking a significant shift from its previous partnership with Peacock. This new WrestleMania ESPN exclusive streaming deal was officially announced on August 6, 2025, highlighting ESPN as the new U.S. domestic platform for WWE’s marquee events, including the two-night WrestleMania.
New ESPN Direct-to-Consumer Service to Host Full WWE Event Coverage
The deal grants ESPN’s direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service full rights to broadcast every WWE Premium Live Event (PLE) annually in their entirety. This includes iconic events such as WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank. Select events will also be simulcast on ESPN’s linear networks, further expanding accessibility for wrestling fans nationwide. WWE will continue to manage the production of all these live events.
Executives Comment on the Groundbreaking Agreement
Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing WWE’s passionate fanbase and the opportunity to elevate WWE content on ESPN’s platform. He stated,
“WWE has an immense, devoted and passionate fanbase that we’re excited to super-serve on our new ESPN DTC platform. This agreement, which features the most-significant WWE events of the year, bolsters our unprecedented content portfolio and helps drive our streaming future.” —Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN
Mark Shapiro, President and Chief Operating Officer of TKO Group Holdings, commented on WWE’s role within ESPN’s reach, noting the alignment between WWE’s engaging storytelling and athleticism with ESPN’s brand identity. He said,
“We are proud to reinforce the ‘E’ in ESPN at such an exciting juncture in its direct-to-consumer journey. 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. 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.” —Mark Shapiro, President and Chief Operating Officer, TKO
Nick Khan, President of WWE, described the deal as a transformative moment for fans and the company alike. He remarked,
“WWE’s agreement with ESPN is a pivotal moment for our millions of fans across the United States: the leader in sports entertainment partnering with the biggest brand in sports media. Bringing WWE’s flagship events to ESPN’s platform is tremendously exciting. We know the sky is the limit.” —Nick Khan, President, WWE
Expanded WWE Content and App Enhancements on ESPN Platforms
Beyond the live events themselves, ESPN’s platforms, including the DTC service, will offer access to WWE’s related pre-show and post-show content, enhancing the fan experience with comprehensive coverage. ESPN is also preparing to launch an upgraded app that integrates various fan-focused features like game statistics, betting tools, fantasy sports options, commerce links, multiview displays, and a personalized SportsCenter experience. These enhancements aim to provide fans flexible and convenient access to ESPN’s portfolio, whether through direct subscriptions or traditional TV bundles.
Context of WWE’s Streaming History and Broader Reach
WWE, which delivers family-friendly sports entertainment globally, currently streams its premium live events in the U.S. on Peacock, part of NBCUniversal’s services. Peacock also hosts a large WWE on-demand library and original programming. Internationally, WWE shares streaming rights with Netflix in most markets except select territories. The transition to ESPN represents a strategic realignment under WWE’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, which sees potential growth through this new partnership with a major sports media giant.
What This Shift Means for WWE Fans and the Industry
This exclusive agreement with ESPN signals a major realignment in sports entertainment streaming rights, providing WWE fans with a new destination for live event content. By aligning with ESPN, a network synonymous with sports culture and storytelling, WWE is positioned to further elevate its flagship events on a platform designed for wide-reaching exposure and fan engagement. The move also reflects ESPN’s commitment to growing its direct-to-consumer offerings by incorporating WWE’s dynamic audience and signature live spectacles into its streaming lineup.
Fans can anticipate having access to all WWE premium events on one unified platform, benefiting from improved streaming technology and ancillary programming options. This partnership promises to strengthen WWE’s presence in the competitive live sports and entertainment landscape, creating new opportunities for fan interaction and content innovation starting in 2026.
