PFL Reveals Ambitious Plans for 2026: Global Expansion and New Format
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has unveiled its 2026 schedule, promising a season packed with action and international expansion. The plan includes a total of 24 events, divided into 16 global events and eight regional events in its MENA (Middle East, North Africa) and Africa series.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, detailing a series of key events that will mark the beginning of the season.
The 2026 season will kick off in February with an event in Dubai, followed by two events in March, one in Madrid and another in Pittsburgh. April will see the action move to Chicago.The start of the 2026 season of the Professional Fighters League will be in Dubai, in February. Fabian Edwards was the champion of this year’s Middleweight World Tournament.The official matchups will be announced at a later date. The event in Madrid will represent PFL’s first incursion into Spain.
Founded in 2017, the PFL has undergone significant changes in its leadership in recent months. The company appointed John Martin, former executive at Turner and Time Warner, as its CEO in July, and Lenny Daniels, former president of Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, as its chief operating officer this week.
Historically, promotion had been structured around a regular season and a playoff format. That format was abandoned in 2025 in favor of a single-elimination tournament. Martin has chosen to move away entirely from the tournament model, favoring more traditional MMA fights.
The PFL has a national broadcast agreement that expires at the end of 2026.
