ESPN and WWE have partnered up to redefine how American fans experience pro-wrestling’s biggest events. Beginning in 2026, as part of a new landmark media rights agreement, ESPN platforms—including the forthcoming ESPN direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service—will become the exclusive U.S. home for every WWE Premium Live Event (PLE), from Royal Rumble to the Show of Shows, WrestleMania.
Under the agreement, all 10 WWE PLEs will stream in their entirety on ESPN’s DTC service, with select marquee events simulcast on ESPN’s linear television networks. Key PLEs encompassed by the deal include:
- WrestleMania (two-night event)
- SummerSlam (two-night event)
- Royal Rumble
- Survivor Series
- Money in the Bank
- …and the full slate of WWE’s annual premium spectacles
Already accustomed to production by WWE itself, these events will now sit alongside ESPN’s broad portfolio, joining live sports and studio shows under one digital roof.
“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,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement.
“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,” said Mark Shapiro, President and Chief Operating Officer, TKO.
Outside of the United States, WWE PLEs are currently available to stream on Netflix in most markets. Since 2021, Peacock has been the exclusive streaming home of the WWE Network in the US. It has been reported that the Peacock deal, worth around $180 million per year, is set to expire in March 2026.
According to SEScoops, the five-year WWE-ESPN deal is worth over $1.6 billion, and will see the network pay the promotion around $325 million annually to stream the PLEs in the US.
“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,” said WWE President Nick Khan in a statement.
For cord cutters and wrestling fans, you can find all of the action inside the squared circle within ESPN’s new all-access app for $29.99 per month. The ESPN Unlimited app brings all of ESPN under one roof, including its linear networks and will launch on Thursday, August 21.
Beyond live PLEs, the deal grants ESPN platforms rights to WWE’s pre- and post-event shows, creating a comprehensive WWE destination. Subscribers will enjoy integrated features, including game stats, betting information, fantasy sports, commerce options, multiview layouts, and personalized SportsCenter For You content—directly within the enhanced ESPN App on mobile and connected TVs.
As 2026 approaches, anticipation builds for WrestleMania’s epic return under the ESPN banner, marking the dawn of a new chapter in sports entertainment distribution. With ESPN set to host WWE’s grandest stages, fans can look forward to a seamless, feature-rich experience for every slamming moment.
