UFC-Paramount deal: No more pay-per-view, all fights on Paramount+, what to know

LOS ANGELES - UFC’s biggest fights will be part of a Paramount+ subscription starting in 2026, ending the $80-per-event pay-per-view model in the U.S.

UFC’s U.S. fans won’t have to shell out $79.99 per fight anymore — but they will need a streaming subscription.

A new seven-year, $7.7 billion deal will make Paramount+ the exclusive home for all UFC events starting in 2026, replacing the long-standing pay-per-view system with a subscription-based model.

The move could save dedicated fight fans hundreds of dollars annually while also making UFC’s biggest events available to a wider audience.

"I couldn’t be more excited to join forces with Dana, Ari, and Mark. 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 in a press release. 

How the deal changes UFC viewing in the U.S.

Under the agreement, all 13 numbered UFC events and 30 Fight Nights each year will stream on Paramount+ at no extra cost beyond the monthly subscription fee. Some marquee cards will also air on CBS.

The change marks a major shift in how UFC delivers its biggest fights. For years, U.S. fans paid around $80 for each numbered event on ESPN+ pay-per-view — an amount that added up quickly for regular viewers.

In 2026, those same fights will be part of a $5.99–$11.99 per month streaming package, depending on the Paramount+ plan.

What we know:

UFC and Paramount say the change is meant to make fights more accessible and attract new audiences who might not pay for individual events.

• The seven-year contract averages $7.7 billion annually, with higher payments in later years.
• Paramount+ will hold exclusive U.S. rights to UFC events and may pursue rights in other markets.
• The deal covers all major UFC programming, including preliminary bouts and full fight cards.

What we don't know:

Paramount+ hasn’t said if it will raise prices, add UFC-only tiers, or bundle the fights with other sports content. It’s also unclear if full replays and archived fights will be included or if bars and restaurants will face new licensing rules once pay-per-view goes away.

• Whether Paramount+ subscription prices will increase before or during the contract term.
• How the change will affect UFC’s relationship with ESPN, which currently streams preliminary cards and shoulder programming.
• Whether the shift will impact fighter pay or bonuses tied to pay-per-view buys.

The backstory:

Pay-per-view has been UFC’s primary revenue model in the U.S. since the 1990s, but costs have climbed sharply in recent years. In 2019, ESPN+ began hosting exclusive PPVs, with prices starting at $59.99 and eventually rising to $79.99 per event.

Streaming services have increasingly targeted live sports as a way to lock in subscribers, with the NFL, MLS, and WWE all striking exclusive streaming deals in recent years.

By the numbers:

UFC expects about 43 live events each year, totaling over 350 hours of live content. Its programming reaches more than 210 countries and territories, and its roster includes roughly 600 fighters from 75 nations.

• $79.99: Current cost for a single UFC pay-per-view event in the U.S.
• $5.99–$11.99: Current monthly cost for Paramount+ subscription plans
• $7.7 billion: Average annual value of the new UFC-Paramount deal
• 43: Total UFC live events expected each year under the deal

What's next:

The new deal begins in 2026, and until then, UFC will continue its pay-per-view model through ESPN+. Fans will need a Paramount+ subscription to watch live events once the agreement takes effect.