WWE Signs $1.6 Billion Deal with ESPN

In a landmark media rights deal announced Wednesday, Walt Disney’s ESPN will become the exclusive U.S. broadcaster for all of WWE’s premium live events — including marquee shows such as WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble and Survivor Series — beginning in 2026, according to CNBC.

The five-year agreement is reportedly worth about $1.6 billion, or approximately $325 million per year — nearly double the value of WWE’s current deal with NBCUniversal’s Peacock, as first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming service is scheduled to launch on August 21 at a monthly price of $29.99. It will be available as part of a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for $11.99 per month under a basic plan. Select WWE events will also be simulcast on ESPN’s linear television networks, according to 411Mania.

“This new deal builds on our longtime relationship with WWE and brings weekly live sports to our platform year-round,” said ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro in a statement quoted by ESPN. WWE President Nick Khan called the agreement “a pivotal moment” for fans in the U.S. and “a powerful partnership between two iconic global brands.”

WWE’s weekly flagship show, Monday Night Raw, moved to Netflix earlier this year under a separate 10-year deal reportedly valued at around $5 billion. Friday Night SmackDown continues to air on USA Network, and WWE content will remain on Peacock until the new ESPN agreement takes effect in 2026, according to WrestlingNews.co.

The deal marks a major realignment of WWE’s U.S. media strategy and further consolidates Disney’s position in the live sports streaming market.

Sources: CNBC, Wall Street Journal, 411Mania, ESPN, WrestlingNews.co