WWE just cashed in big but its the fans footing the bill.
Starting in 2026, WWEs Premium Live Events are jumping from Peacock to ESPNs brand-new $29.99-per-month streaming platform. Thats nearly triple what fans currently pay for Peacock, where WWE events cost just $10.99 a month.
According to CNBC, the deal is worth a staggering $1.625 billion over five years $325 million annually nearly doubling the $180 million WWE pulled in each year from Peacock. Its a massive windfall for TKO, the parent company behind WWE, and another example of how streaming rights have turned into gold mines for corporate giants.
But for fans, this deal feels more like a slap in the face than a celebration. Gone are the days of affordable access to WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, and Survivor Series. In their place? A steep monthly price tag that will leave longtime subscribers shelling out significantly more to keep watching the same content.
WWE President Nick Khan called the ESPN partnership a pivotal moment for our millions of fans, but that moment now comes with a $29.99 monthly toll. TKO President Mark Shapiro praised the deal as our destiny, while ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said WWEs fanbase is a fantastic way for us to expand our audience. Translation: theyre banking on fans paying up no matter the cost.
While ESPN boosts its direct-to-consumer presence and TKO lines its pockets, the very audience that built WWEs empire is being hit hardest. Theres no discounted bundle. No loyalty reward. Just a major price hike in exchange for the same suplexes and storylines.
The deal doesnt include SmackDown (which stays on USA Network until 2029) or RAW (now on Netflix), but when it comes to WWEs biggest shows, fans are about to feel the financial impact.
WWE is no longer just sports entertainment its a premium price tag.
How do you feel about WWE tripling the cost of its events while cashing in on a billion-dollar deal? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
