The WWE will soon have a new home for its premium live events.
WASHINGTON — World Wrestling Entertainment’s premium live events, including WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam, will soon be exclusively shown on ESPN’s platforms in the U.S., starting in 2026.
The landmark rights agreement, announced Wednesday, shifts WWE’s marquee events to the direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service that ESPN will soon launch. According to the announcement, select premium live events may also be simulcast on ESPN’s linear TV channels.
Peacock currently has a contract to carry WWE’s premium live events through March 2026. WrestleMania 42, WWE’s biggest live event each year, is scheduled for April 18 and 19 in Las Vegas, so it could likely be the kick-off of the new rights agreement.
According to CNBC sources, the Disney-controlled sports and entertainment business will be paying an average of $325 million per year for five years of domestic rights.
All 10 of the WWE’s premium live events each year will stream on ESPN’s new $29.99 per month direct-to-consumer platform in the U.S.
How much is ESPN’s new streaming service? When does it launch?
The company also announced that ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer streaming service, also called ESPN, will officially launch on Thursday, Aug. 21.
There will be an “unlimited plan” for $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year or the “select plan” for $11.99 per month that includes access to all content available on ESPN+.
As part of a launch special, customers can bundle ESPN unlimited with Disney+ and Hulu at $29.99/month for the first 12 months.
What is happening with ESPN+?
As ESPN launches its new streaming service, existing ESPN+ subscribers will become subscribers to the ESPN “select plan,” according to the company.
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