WWE Premium Live Events Head to ESPN in Landmark Five-Year Streaming Deal

ESPN has landed a blockbuster five-year, $1.6 billion agreement with WWE, securing exclusive U.S. rights to stream all of the promotion’s Premium Live Events (PLEs) starting in 2026. This deal represents a dramatic shift in the media landscape for sports entertainment.

Under the new contract, ESPN will air WWE’s marquee events—including WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank—on its upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming platform, launching on August 21, 2025, with a monthly subscription fee of $29.99. The agreement boosts ESPN’s subscription offering while effectively ending WWE’s Premium Live Event relationship with Peacock after its 2025 contract ends.

WWE will continue to handle event production. While the streaming platform will carry the live broadcasts, select events will also simulcast on ESPN’s traditional linear cable channels. Additionally, pre-show and post-show content tied to each major event will be available through ESPN's platforms.

Financially, the deal translates to about $325 million per year, a substantial increase from the estimated $180–200 million WWE had been receiving from Peacock annually. This investment underscores Disney-owned ESPN's strategy to build its streaming portfolio around tentpole content and sport-entertainment partnerships.

From ESPN’s perspective, Chairman Jimmy Pitaro emphasized the value of tapping into WWE’s enthusiastic and diverse fan base, pointing to the younger-skewing, high-engagement viewership as ideal for the company’s streaming ambitions. TKO Group and WWE executives echoed the synergy, highlighting the cultural prominence of live WWE events and the creative storytelling that aligns with ESPN’s audience proposition.

Meanwhile, WWE’s broader media strategy includes separate partnerships: SmackDown continues on NBCUniversal’s Peacock and USA Network until at least 2029, while Raw and international distribution remain under long-standing agreements—such as the $5 billion 10-year deal with Netflix.

Key Takeaways

• Exclusive U.S. rights for WWE Premium Live Events move to ESPN's streaming service beginning in 2026.
• Five-year deal value: approx. $1.6 billion (≈ $325 million/year).
• Major events included: WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, Money in the Bank.
• ESPN’s strategy: Strengthen its streaming offering using high-profile live sports entertainment.
• Prior distribution: WWE events will switch from Peacock to ESPN; SmackDown remains on Peacock/USA.

This major media rights shift reinforces ESPN’s streaming ambitions, provides WWE with a lucrative renewal, and reshapes where American fans will access wrestling’s biggest moments in the coming years.