In a move that signals a major shift in the sports and entertainment industry, two giants are joining forces. ESPN and WWE have announced a groundbreaking new rights deal that will bring all of WWE’s Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble, exclusively to ESPN platforms starting in 2026. The partnership marks a historic first, as ESPN becomes the official U.S. home for WWE’s most iconic events, and further strengthens Disney’s growing presence in the world of live sports and entertainment.

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

ESPN, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), and WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), today announced a landmark rights agreement as ESPN platforms, including the new ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming service, will become the exclusive U.S. domestic home of all WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs), including the two-night cultural phenomenon WrestleMania, starting in 2026. This deal makes ESPN home to the highest-profile WWE events of the year.

The ESPN DTC service will stream all WWE PLEs annually, in their entirety, with select simulcasting on ESPN linear platforms. Marquee PLEs include WrestleMania and SummerSlam –both two-night events – and Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, Money in the Bank, among others. WWE will continue to produce all PLEs.

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What are your thoughts on this WWE and ESPN deal? Do you think we will see major changes? Also, if you don’t have ESPN will you be signing up for it in 2026? That Hashtag Show wants to hear from you!

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Source: WWE