Dana White has confirmed that the UFC will no longer be on pay-per-view in the United States, because he confirmed a new ten-digitage deal.
The UFC has always offered premium events on pay-per-view, with more than 318 offers to date and UFC 319 this weekend. But next 2026, their new deal with Paramount and CBS will see the events broadcast for the first time without that model.
White today announced the news in an out-of-the-blue post on social media, which followed an article from the New York Times. It marks an exciting new chapter for the sport, with the promotion that would leave ESPN at the end of the year.
Dana White confirms a new $ 7.7 billion temporary employment deal for UFC
Dana White went to social media to confirm reports of a new UFC broadcast deal, which is said to be worth $ 7.7 billion for seven years before the promotion. Their international rights have been apparently unaffected so far.
“This historic deal with Paramount and CBS is incredible for UFC fans and our athletes,” White said in a statement on social media.
“For the first time, fans in the US have access to all UFC content without a pay per-view model, making it more affordable and accessible to view the biggest fights on a huge platform.
“This deal places UFC under the largest sports in the world. The exposure offered by the Paramount and CBS networks under this new structure is a huge victory for our athletes and everyone who watches and loves this sport.”
In an interview with CNBC, the president and chief operating officer of TKO Group Mark Shapiro added: “The pay-per-view model is a thing of the past. What is more on pay-per-view? Boxing? Films on DirectV? It is an outdated, outdated model.
“So it was of the utmost importance for us-confidence the word play-on-the one-stop shopping, especially for our younger fans in viaduct states.
“If they find out:” Wait, if I just sign up for Paramount+ for $ 12.99 per month, I will automatically get the numbered fights from UFC and the rest of the portfolio? That is a message that we want to strengthen. “
No more pay-per-view for UFC fans in America
From the beginning of 2026, Paramount will broadcast the full slate of the UFC of 13 selection-frame events, which would have previously been called 'pay-per-view' and would be known as 'Premium Live Events' for their TKO Group Sister Company WWE. The broadcaster will also show 30 fighting evenings from all over the world.
Paramount+ will be the primary house of fighting, with selected events that are broadcast on CBS as a simulcast. It currently only costs $ 8 a month for a Paramount+ subscription and $ 13 for the advertising -free version with Showtime.
Photo by Jim Watson/AFP via Getty images
For the past seven years, UFC has used the controversial ESPN+ offer from ESPN for their pay-per-views, although with many problems. Paramount does not charge a premium on top of their subscription service.
Regarding the numbers, the deal will see the UFC more than double what they have received from ESPN in the last seven years. Their seven -year payout on average of $ 1.1 billion a year, but according to CNBC will not be linear, with the promotion receiving a lower amount early with the deal that ultimately grows.