ESPN and WWE: WrestleMania and PPV events to the streaming platform!

WWE and ESPN: A Strategic Streaming Alliance

In a groundbreaking move for the world of sports entertainment, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and ESPN have reached an agreement that will mark a turning point in the way fans consume professional wrestling. Starting in 2026, iconic WWE events, such as WrestleMania and SummerSlam, will be part of ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer streaming platform. This recently announced agreement includes the broadcast of two-night events such as WrestleMania and SummerSlam, as well as other premium live WWE events, such as Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank. WWE will be in charge of producing these events for ESPN platforms, which will become their exclusive home in the United States.

WWE has an immense, devoted, and passionate fanbase that we are excited to serve on our new ESPN DTC platform. This agreement, which features WWE’s most important events of the year, reinforces our unprecedented content portfolio and drives our streaming future.

Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN President

The agreement also contemplates the possibility of ESPN broadcasting the pre- and post-shows for WWE’s premium live events.

We are proud to reinforce the ‘E’ in ESPN at such an exciting juncture in its direct-to-consumer journey. WWE’s premium live events are recognized for exactly the kind of rich storytelling, incredible feats of athleticism, and unmissable cultural experiences that have become synonymous with ESPN. Through our relationship with UFC, we have experienced firsthand how transformational a presence on ESPN can be, and we know that this will be an exceptional partnership at a time of great innovation for both companies.

Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO

ESPN will launch its streaming service on August 21st with a price of $29.99 per month and will keep the name of the linear network: ESPN. The direct-to-consumer service will allow users to access ESPN’s seven national linear channels, as well as ESPN on ABC and various other streaming options. WWE events previously streamed on Peacock in 2025.