ESPN Secures Multiyear Deal for Premium WWE Events Rights.

ESPN has signed a multiyear deal with World Wrestling Entertainment to have exclusive rights to high-profile and two-day wrestling events. The deal includes rights to premium WWE events, but details of the agreement were not disclosed.

ESPN, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), has signed a multiyear deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) to have exclusive rights to high-profile and two-day wrestling events. The agreement, announced on August 6, 2025, makes ESPN the exclusive U.S. domestic home of all WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs), including the marquee event WrestleMania, starting in 2026 [1].

The deal, which includes rights to premium WWE events, will see all PLEs streamed annually in their entirety on ESPN's direct-to-consumer streaming service. Notable events include WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank, among others [1]. These events will also be simulcast on ESPN's linear platforms.

Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN, commented on the agreement, stating, "WWE has an immense, devoted, and passionate fanbase that we’re excited to super-serve on our new ESPN DTC platform. This agreement, which features the most-significant WWE events of the year, bolsters our unprecedented content portfolio and helps drive our streaming future" [1].

Mark Shapiro, President and Chief Operating Officer of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), which owns WWE, expressed pride in the partnership, noting, "We are proud to reinforce the ‘E’ in ESPN at such an exciting juncture in its direct-to-consumer journey. WWE Premium Live Events are renowned for exactly the type of rich storytelling, incredible feats of athleticism and can’t-miss, cultural tentpole experiences that have become synonymous with ESPN" [1].

Nick Khan, President of WWE, highlighted the significance of the partnership for WWE fans, stating, "WWE’s agreement with ESPN is a pivotal moment for our millions of fans across the United States: the leader in sports entertainment partnering with the biggest brand in sports media. Bringing WWE’s flagship events to ESPN’s platform is tremendously exciting. We know the sky is the limit" [1].

The agreement marks a strategic move for both companies, as it enhances ESPN's content portfolio and offers WWE a platform to reach a broader audience. The exact financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but the deal is expected to drive growth for both parties.

References:
[1] https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2025/08/espn-wwe-reach-landmark-rights-agreement-as-espn-platforms-become-exclusive-u-s-domestic-home-of-all-wwe-premium-live-events-including-wrestlemania-starting-in-2026/