Looking to hold a firm grip on the sports world, ESPN has collected a variety of entities for its groundbreaking DTC service. With a goal to entertain a massive audience, ESPN has made a deal with the entertainment company, WWE.
ESPN and TKO’s WWE agreed to a massive rights agreement that will see ESPN’s DTC service become the exclusive U.S. domestic home of WWE PLE events.
Although the agreement was initially slated to begin in 2026, the partnership will now start in September 2025.
“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,” WWE President Nick Khan said.
“Bringing WWE’s flagship events to ESPN’s platform is tremendously exciting. We know the sky is the limit.”
Some of WWE’s top stars will be involved, including promoting events. Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Rhea Ripley, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Becky Lynch, John Cena, Lyra Valkyria, and more are just a few names that come to mind.
What does this mean for pro wrestling fans? The Sporting News provides all you need to know regarding WWE's deal with ESPN, including information on the ESPN DTC service.
WWE-ESPN streaming service, explained
The new ESPN DTC service will stream all WWE PLEs annually, in their entirety, with select simulcasting on ESPN linear platforms. Massive events like the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania will be key features on the ESPN DTC service.
WWE programming in the U.S. was previously on Peacock, and before that, the WWE Network. The company replaces the UFC, another TKO partner, on ESPN programming.
“We are proud to reinforce the ‘E’ in ESPN at such an exciting juncture in its direct-to-consumer journey,” TKO President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Shapiro said. “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.
“Through our UFC relationship, we have experienced firsthand how transformational an ESPN presence can be, and we know this will be an exceptional partnership at a time of great innovation for both companies.”
When will the WWE-ESPN streaming deal begin?
- Start date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
WWE's deal with ESPN is starting earlier than the expected 2026 start date. It will begin on September 20, 2025, with the debut of the Wrestlepalooza event.
WWE-ESPN PLE schedule
- September 20, 2025: Wrestlepalooza
- October 11, 2025: Crown Jewel
- November 29, 2025: Survivor Series
- January 2026: Royal Rumble
- April 18-19, 2026: WrestleMania 42
- August 1-2, 2026: SummerSlam
ESPN select vs. ESPN unlimited
ESPN offers two basic plans. Here is a breakdown of each plan:
- Access to ESPN+ content
- More than 32,000 live sporting events each year
- Studio shows, on-demand replays and original content
- Access to all of ESPN's linear networks and other services, including ESPN+
- 47,000 live sporting events each year
- Studio shows, on-demand replays and original content
ESPN's new streaming service costs
Select plan
- $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year
Unlimited plan
- $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year
There is a special offer with the Unlimited plan. You can purchase the Disney+, Hulu and Unlimited bundle for $29.99 per month over the first 12 months of service.
The following networks are available via the Unlimited plan:
- ESPN
- ESPN2
- ESPNU
- ACC Network
- SEC Network
- ESPNews
- ESPN Deportes
- ESPN on ABC
- ESPN+
- ESPN3
- SEC Network+
- ACC Network Extra
What other sports are available on ESPN's new service?
ESPN's new streaming service offers a look at the four major sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL).
ESPN will provide coverage of the WNBA, SEC and ACC Conference games (football and basketball) and the U.S. Open (tennis).
The app also allows subscribers to follow along with live sporting events and catch their favorite ESPN shows like "SportsCenter," "College GameDay" and "First Take."