The UFC inked a landmark seven-year, $7.7 billion deal to move to Paramount starting in 2026, which includes the end of the traditional pay-per-view model.

For decades, the UFC has relied on pay-per-views to fuel almost every major show the organization has promoted but that all changes under the terms of the new deal. There are a lot of questions about what this means for fans and how much it’s going to cost to watch the UFC moving forward.

So here’s everything you need to know about the UFC’s new TV deal starting next year.

UFC Moves to Paramount+ in 2026

The UFC’s new deal with Paramount+ starts Jan. 1, 2026, which means that’s when you’ll officially need to have the app to watch programming from the promotion. Paramount+ currently boasts approximately 77 million subscribers and also features programming from CBS and Showtime networks.

In addition to the UFC, Paramount+ also features sports such as the NFL on CBS, NCAA basketball including March Madness, soccer including UEFA Champions League, Europa League and more. Golf coverage including the Masters tournament and the final rounds for other PGA events.

Paramount+ is available through all major streaming services including Apple TV, Roku, Amazon, etc. and it can also be accessed through online browsers.

How Much Does Paramount+ Cost?

Currently there are two tiers available for Paramount+. There’s an ad-free version that runs $12.99 per month or an annual subscription at $119.99 per year. That comes with all the sports programming, watch channels in 4K, CBS programming and all of Showtime.

The ad-tiered version costs $7.99 per month or $59.99 for the annual subscription. Under that tier, you get mainly the same availability except only select Showtime programs along with ads that run during all TV series, films and other programs. .

It’s entirely possible that the prices could go up with Paramount paying so much money for the UFC but those tiers are set now with the current prices.

One note — nothing is totally ad-free, especially when it comes to live events. NFL broadcasts on Paramount+ still feature commercial breaks and the UFC is exactly the same. All live events on Paramount+ are subject to commercials.

Starting on Jan. 1, 2026, no UFC events are going to air on pay-per-view domestically in the United States. All “numbered” events — such as UFC 319, UFC 320, etc. — are going to air exclusively on Paramount+ at no additional cost to subscribers.

Select events are going to be simulcast on CBS, but again, you still only need Paramount+ to watch the events. You won’t need a traditional cable or satellite package.

What About International Viewers?

All international broadcast rights remain the same for the time being so Canada, Brazil, etc are still operating under current deals. When those rights come up for renewal, Paramount maintains an exclusive negotiating window to potentially buy those rights since the company operates internationally, unlike ESPN.

But for now, nothing changes outside the United States until those deals expire.

What About UFC Programming in 2025?

Until the end of the year, all UFC programming remains the same with events airing on the ESPN family of networks including ESPN+ along with the final five pay-per-view events kicking off with UFC 319 from Chicago on Saturday.

So those final five pay-per-views still cost the same at $79.99 each.

Once UFC 323 is completed in December, that brings the pay-per-view model to an end with the next event in January airing exclusively through Paramount+.

What About Other UFC Programming?

The UFC hasn’t made any revelations yet about additional programming moving to Paramount+ such as The Contender Series, The Ultimate Fighter, etc. so it’s not known yet where those end up.

Much like past deals with FOX and ESPN, the UFC typically reveals more programming information closer to launch or after the new broadcast partner takes over.