WWE and ESPN have revealed a new streaming agreement valued at $1.6 billion over five years. Starting in 2026, ESPN will become the exclusive streaming platform in the US for all WWE Premium Live events, including major shows like Wrestlemania, Summerslam, Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank, taking over from Peacock.
This new contract ends WWE’s current streaming deal with Peacock, which began in 2021 and will expire in March 2026. ESPN will pay about $325 million annually to secure exclusive US streaming rights for WWE’s premium events. The upcoming ESPN streaming service, launching on August 21st, will charge $29.99 per month—a significant increase from Peacock’s current rate of $10.99, raising concerns among fans about cost and accessibility.
In addition to WWE content, ESPN’s deal strengthens its sports streaming lineup, complementing WWE shows airing on Netflix (Raw), USA Network (SmackDown), and CW (NXT). ESPN will also offer coverage of other major sports like NFL and UFC, expanding its overall sports media presence.
This agreement firmly establishes ESPN as the key destination for WWE’s biggest live events and marks the end of WWE content availability on Peacock, signifying a major shift in how fans will access WWE programming from 2026 onward.
Fan Take: This is a big moment for WWE enthusiasts, as the switch to ESPN could bring more visibility and integration with other top sports content. However, the higher subscription price might be a barrier for some fans, potentially impacting WWE’s fanbase accessibility and engagement.
