ESPN and WWE Partner to Stream WrestleMania and More from 2026

ESPN has entered into a significant agreement with WWE to stream its marquee events, including WrestleMania, starting in 2026. The announcement, made on Wednesday, revealed that this partnership will incorporate two-night events such as WrestleMania and SummerSlam, alongside other notable WWE Premium Live events like the Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank.

The deal positions WWE as the exclusive producer for these events on ESPN platforms, marking a pivotal shift in how wrestling content will be delivered to U.S. audiences. According to Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN, this partnership is designed to cater to WWE’s “immense, devoted and passionate fanbase.” Pitaro emphasized the value of this collaboration, stating, “This agreement, which features the most-significant WWE events of the year, bolsters our unprecedented content portfolio and helps drive our streaming future.”

Expanding Streaming Offerings

In addition to the main events, ESPN will also stream WWE’s pre- and post-event shows for all Premium Live Events, enhancing the overall viewer experience. Mark Shapiro, President and Chief Operating Officer of TKO, expressed pride in reinforcing the “E” in ESPN at a time when the network is evolving its direct-to-consumer offerings. “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,” Shapiro noted.

This collaboration follows ESPN’s announcement in May regarding the launch of its new direct-to-consumer streaming service, set to debut in early fall 2025, with a subscription price of $29.99 per month. The service will maintain the ESPN brand and provide access to all seven of its domestic linear networks, as well as ESPN on ABC and other streaming options.

The previous streaming arrangement for WWE events was through Peacock, which will conclude in 2025, making way for this new partnership. As the landscape of sports entertainment continues to evolve, the collaboration between ESPN and WWE signifies a strategic move to capture a larger audience and enhance the accessibility of premium wrestling content.

With WrestleMania and other major events now set to be streamed on ESPN’s platform, fans can anticipate a new era of wrestling entertainment that integrates the rich tradition of WWE with the innovative approach of ESPN’s digital offerings.