WWE President Nick Khan is confident fans wont blink at a massive price hike when WWE Premium Live Events move from Peacock to ESPNs new streaming platform in 2026.
On The Varsity podcast, Khan addressed the $29.99-per-month price tag for ESPNs upcoming direct-to-consumer service. Despite the steep jump from Peacocks current $10.99 subscription, Khan believes fans are loyal enough to follow WWE wherever it goes.
WWE recently inked a $1.625 billion, five-year deal with ESPN, which will make ESPN the exclusive U.S. home for WWE pay-per-views starting in 2026. Events like WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble will no longer stream on Peacockinstead, theyll be locked behind ESPNs $29.99 monthly subscription.
Khans bet is bold. While he sees the fanbase as loyal enough to absorb the nearly 3x price hike, others see this as WWE cashing in at the fans expense. The Peacock transition in 2021 was smooth because it was cheaper. This time, its a direct hit to subscribers wallets.
Though some cable subscribers with ESPN access may be able to get the new platform for free, theres no official bundle or discount yet for wrestling fans. The deal doesnt include RAW (moving to Netflix in 2025) or SmackDown (staying on USA Network until 2029), but all major WWE PLEs will fall under ESPNs umbrella.
WWE may have scored big with this billion-dollar paydaybut its banking on one thing: fans wont think twice about paying more than ever before.
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Are you following WWE to ESPN at $29.99 a monthor is this where you draw the line? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
