WWE Fans Forced to Pay Triple as TKO Rakes in $1.6 Billion ESPN Payday

WWE just cashed in big — but it’s the fans footing the bill.

Starting in 2026, WWE’s Premium Live Events are jumping from Peacock to ESPN’s brand-new $29.99-per-month streaming platform. That’s 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. It’s 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 WWE’s fanbase is “a fantastic way for us to expand our audience.” Translation: they’re 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 WWE’s empire is being hit hardest. There’s no discounted bundle. No loyalty reward. Just a major price hike in exchange for the same suplexes and storylines.

The deal doesn’t include SmackDown (which stays on USA Network until 2029) or RAW (now on Netflix), but when it comes to WWE’s biggest shows, fans are about to feel the financial impact.

WWE is no longer just sports entertainment — it’s a premium price tag.