ESPN to stream WWE premium live events starting 2026

ESPN and WWE announced a rights agreement that will make ESPN platforms the exclusive U.S. domestic home for all WWE Premium Live Events beginning in 2026, according to a press release from the companies.

The deal includes ESPN's direct-to-consumer streaming service carrying all WWE premium live events annually, including WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank. Select events will also simulcast on ESPN linear platforms.

ESPN is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), while WWE is part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO). The agreement covers what the companies describe as WWE's highest-profile events of the year.

"WWE has an immense, devoted and passionate fanbase that we're excited to super-serve on our new ESPN DTC platform," said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN. "This agreement, which features the most-significant WWE events of the year, bolsters our unprecedented content portfolio and helps drive our streaming future."

Mark Shapiro, President and Chief Operating Officer of TKO, stated: "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."

WWE will continue to produce all premium live events under the agreement. ESPN platforms will also have the opportunity to stream pre- and post-event shows tied to all Premium Live Events.

Currently, NBCUniversal's Peacock serves as the exclusive home for WWE premium live events in the United States, while Netflix holds international streaming rights for WWE programming in most markets.

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