WWE Premium Live Events Moving to ESPN Sooner Than You Think

WWE signed a $1.625 billion deal with ESPN to move all of its Premium Live Events to ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer streaming service starting in 2026, thus leaving Peacock. While many assumed PLEs would air on ESPN next year, it appears that’s not the case.

While speaking on Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez revealed that WWE Clash in Paris will be the final Premium Live Event to stream on Peacock. After that, all WWE PLEs are expected to move to ESPN.

The deal with Peacock was based on a set number of contracted PLE dates. Because WWE added a second night of SummerSlam and brought back the women’s Evolution event, they reached that quota earlier than planned. As a result, Clash in Paris will mark the end of the run on Peacock.

“The WWE deal with Peacock for PLEs is going to wrap up with Clash In Paris — it appears all future events are going to be airing through ESPN.

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So apparently what happened was they had the deal with Peacock and they were contracted to a set number of pay-per-view dates — and because this year had two nights of SummerSlam, which is an extra PLE, and because they added the women’s Evolution show — and maybe another one or two — they’ve already reached their quota.

So the final show on Peacock is Clash In Paris — and then everything’s going to be moving to ESPN.”

There are still big questions about what will happen with WWE content on Peacock for the remainder of the contract, which runs until mid-2026. One of the biggest unknowns is the future of the WWE library, with rumors suggesting it could move to YouTube or another platform.

Some shows, like Saturday Night’s Main Event or even NXT, could still air on Peacock, but that remains unclear. What is confirmed is that after Clash in Paris, WWE’s Premium Live Events will officially move to ESPN.

“What that means for Peacock through the end of this deal, which goes until the middle of 2026, still raises a lot of questions — like what’s going to happen to the library. I know there’s been a lot of talk that the library may end up going to YouTube — but I’m sure other companies are in the running as well. That’s still up in the air.

There’s also the possibility that different shows could air on Peacock between now and the end of the deal — Saturday Night’s Main Event might end up there. NXT, I don’t know — that’s another question. As far as I know, they may continue to air on Peacock.

All I know for sure is this — WWE PLEs, Clash In Paris is the last one, and then they’re going to ESPN.”

WWE ultimately accepted ESPN’s $325 million annual deal after Peacock only offered around $275 million per year. Therefore, fans can now look forward to watching all Premium Live Events on ESPN from September and so we’ll have to see whether the experience will be better than what fans have seen on Peacock.

Do you think ESPN is the right long-term home for WWE events, or should WWE have stuck with Peacock? Sound off in the comments.

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