PARAMOUNT AND TKO ANNOUNCE LANDMARK UFC MEDIA RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Paramount to Become Exclusive U.S. Home of UFC Beginning in 2026
LOS ANGELES, CA and NEW YORK, NY – August 11, 2025 – Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (NASDAQ: PSKY), and TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) have reached a historic seven-year media rights agreement making Paramount the exclusive home of UFC events in the United States.
Starting in 2026, Paramount will stream all 13 UFC numbered events and 30 Fight Nights annually on its direct-to-consumer platform, Paramount+, with select marquee cards simulcast on CBS. This deal marks a major shift from UFC’s long-standing Pay-Per-View model, making premium events available at no additional cost to Paramount+ subscribers.
The agreement aims to dramatically increase accessibility for fans, leveraging Paramount’s broad streaming and broadcast reach. The partnership also opens the door for future expansion of UFC rights outside the U.S. as opportunities arise.
“Rarely do opportunities arise to partner on an exclusive basis with a global sports powerhouse like UFC,” said David Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Paramount. “The addition of UFC’s year-round must-watch events is a major win for our platforms and fans.”
“This is a milestone moment for UFC,” said Ariel Emanuel, Executive Chair and CEO of TKO. “This agreement reflects our strategy for growth, engagement, and delivering top-tier experiences to fans worldwide.”
“Paramount is a platinum partner with significant reach,” added Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO. “This new stage will excite fans, brand partners, and athletes alike.”
UFC, the world’s leading mixed martial arts organization, stages approximately 43 live events annually and reaches nearly 950 million broadcast and digital households in over 210 countries and territories. The organization boasts a roster of 600 elite athletes from 75 countries, with an estimated 100 million fans in the U.S. alone.
The deal, valued at an average annual $1.1 billion, runs for seven years and includes a back-loaded payment schedule. It represents a transformative moment for both Paramount’s sports portfolio and UFC’s distribution strategy.
