On Wednesday, ESPN and WWE announced a landmark rights agreement that will make ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming service the exclusive US home for all WWE Premium Live events, including WrestleMania, starting in 2026. This deal consolidates major WWE shows like the two-night WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank on ESPN’s new platform. WWE will continue producing these events, while ESPN gains rights to stream related pre- and post-event content.
The partnership has been widely praised by executives involved. WWE President Nick Khan described it as a significant moment for millions of fans nationwide, highlighting the collaboration between top sports entertainment leaders and major sports media brands. TKO President Mark Shapiro expressed pride in enhancing ESPN’s offerings during a pivotal phase in their direct consumer efforts. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro emphasized his excitement about catering to WWE’s passionate and substantial fanbase with this new service.
This agreement ends WWE’s existing relationship with the Peacock streaming platform, set to expire in March 2026, which began with NBCUniversal in 2021. WWE’s other key US broadcast partner remains Netflix. The new deal with ESPN secures the future of WWE’s flagship programming within the domestic broadcast market.
Fan Take: This development is huge for WWE fans, as ESPN’s broad reach and sports media expertise could bring greater exposure and enhanced viewing experiences for WWE events. It signals an exciting new era for the sport, potentially attracting more mainstream attention and elevating WWE’s presence in the competitive streaming landscape.
