How much will it now cost to stream WWE PLEs in US starting from 2026?
ESPN and WWE announced a landmark deal on Wednesday, granting ESPN exclusive US rights to stream all WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs) starting in 2026.
The agreement is a significant development for The Walt Disney Company, ESPN’s parent company, and was announced through a press release. The media giant continues to expand its digital content offerings.
Under the terms of the deal, WWE’s marquee events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam, the Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank, will be streamed live through ESPN’s direct-to-consumer (DTC) service. Select events will also be simulcast on ESPN’s linear platforms.
ESPN also announced it would launch the new direct-to-consumer streaming service on August 21, priced at $29.99 per month, as reported by Variety.
“WWE has an immense, devoted and passionate fanbase that we’re excited to super-serve on our new ESPN DTC platform,” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN.
The streaming service will not only feature the live events but also pre- and post-event shows to enhance the viewing experience.
This deal signals a major shift in WWE’s media distribution strategy. Currently, NBCUniversal’s Peacock holds exclusive rights to WWE’s premium content through 2025, but this new arrangement with ESPN opens a new chapter for the company.
“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,” said Nick Khan, President of WWE.
As ESPN continues to ramp up its DTC offerings, this partnership will solidify its position in the competitive sports streaming market.
The deal is part of a broader strategy as ESPN prepares to launch a comprehensive streaming platform, bringing its suite of networks and services directly to consumers.
The deal also aligns with Disney’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its streaming portfolio.
ESPN’s acquisition of exclusive WWE rights complements Disney’s robust financial performance, as the company gears up for more content investments in the sports entertainment sector.
The agreement, which also includes potential future acquisitions for ESPN, highlights the growing influence of sports media giants and their efforts to secure exclusive content to capture the attention of dedicated sports fans across the world.
In related news, ESPN is also in discussions to acquire NFL Network, along with other NFL media assets, further expanding its sports content offerings.
