Paramount Lands UFC Rights in Seven-Year Deal

Paramount has landed a seven-year deal to become the exclusive U.S. home of all UFC events.

Beginning in 2026, Paramount+ will be the exclusive home of UFC’s 13 marquee events and 30 Fight Nights, with select numbered events to be simulcast on CBS. The deal marks UFC’s move away from a pay-per-view model, with the events to be included as part of the Paramount+ subscription. Paramount intends to explore UFC rights outside the U.S. as they become available in the future.

“Rarely do opportunities arise to partner on an exclusive basis with a global sports powerhouse like UFC—an organization with extraordinary global recognition, scale and cultural impact,” said David Ellison, chairman and CEO of Paramount. “Paramount’s advantage lies in the expansive reach of our linear and streaming platforms. Live sports continue to be a cornerstone of our broader strategy—driving engagement, subscriber growth and long-term loyalty, and the addition of UFC’s year-round must-watch events to our platforms is a major win. We look forward to delivering this premium content to millions of fans in the U.S., and potentially beyond.”

“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. “Our decade-long journey with UFC has been defined by continuous growth and expansion, and this agreement is an important realization of our strategy. We believe wholeheartedly in David’s vision and look forward to being in business with a company that will prioritize technology as a means to enhance storytelling and the overall viewing experience.”

“Paramount is a platinum partner with significant reach,” said Mark Shapiro, president and COO of TKO. “Our new agreement unlocks powerful opportunities at TKO for years to come—meaningful economics for investors; expanded premium inventory for global brand partners; and deeper engagement for UFC’s passionate fanbase. Just as importantly, our athletes will love this new stage.”