A major WWE and ESPN deal was announced on August 6th, 2025. According to ESPN itself, the American international multiplatform sports media company owned by the Walt Disney Company, has acquired the exclusive rights to stream “WWE’s biggest events” in the U.S. This partnership will take effect as early as 2026, and was priced at an astounding $1.6 billion, that’s $325 annually, across five years.
It’s a significant acquisition for ESPN, considering the Royal Rumble will become a two-night event, similar to this year’s WrestleMania and SummerSlam, giving the company a lot more room for profit. Moreover, WWE, on top of their already lucrative Netflix and USA Network deals, will have another avenue to shine the biggest spotlight on the promotion on one of the biggest networks across North America, as well as internationally.
This deal is hot off the back of ESPN launching their standalone streaming platform, which will be priced at $29.99 a month, giving fans access to WWE programming, as well as ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNews, ESPN Deportes, on top of being able to watch ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX.
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Header photo – WWE/ESPN – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this WWE and ESPN deal and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.
You can check out WWE programming on Netflix (Raw), USA Network (SmackDown), The CW (NXT), Tubi (WWE Evolve), A&E (WWE Superstar Sunday – Rivals, WWE LFG, and Greatest Moments), and Peacock (WWE Main Event as well as archives and premium live event streaming). Follow WWE on social media to relive top moments and matches on YouTube, and catch fast-paced action on X (WWE Speed).
