On Tuesday morning, the UFC announced a groundbreaking deal between themselves and ESPN. UFC and ESPN will begin working together in January 2019, as ESPN+ will be the home of 15 full UFC cards annually.
The multi-year media rights agreement for exclusive live UFC content will be on ESPN+, as well as across a variety of ESPN’s television, social and digital platforms.
Kevin Mayer, Chairman, Direct to Consumer and International, The Walt Disney Company said, “One of our goals for ESPN+ is to bring sports fans of all genres content they love and are passionate about, and this agreement with UFC is illustrative of exactly that. We look forward to providing UFC’s enthusiastic, growing fan base with a wide array of live events and building a lasting relationship with the industry leader in mixed martial arts.”
UFC and ESPN come to multi-year deal
Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN President and Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks said, “UFC is a premier global sports property with legions of incredibly avid fans. We are excited to be able to bring their world-class events and content to ESPN+ and the ESPN networks. This agreement shows the commitment we have to deliver fans the very best across our entire platform.”
Dana White, UFC President said, “I couldn’t be more excited to partner with The Walt Disney Company and ESPN on an agreement that will continue to grow our sport. UFC has always done deals with the right partners at the right time and this one is no exception. We will now have the ability to deliver fights to our young fan base wherever they are and whenever they want it. This deal is a home run for ESPN and UFC.”
More details on what fans can expect from the deal are below.
Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year). To subscribe, fans simply download or open the ESPN App (or visit ESPNPlus.com). In addition to live, exclusive events, the lineup of UFC content available to ESPN+ subscribers will include:
- Exclusive, all new-seasons of “Dana White’s Contender Series” beginning in June 2019
- A new original, all-access series produced by IMG Original Content
- Exclusive pre- and post-event shows for all 15 “UFC on ESPN+ Fight Nights”
- Non-exclusive access to UFC’s full archive of programming, including historic events, classic bouts, and original programming
- Additional UFC-branded content, including “UFC Countdown” shows, press conferences, weigh-ins, and pre-and post-shows
In addition to the live events and content included in the ESPN+ subscription, fight fans will be able to purchase and watch UFC FIGHT PASS (UFC’s DTC streaming offering) and UFC PPV events via ESPN+, for a separate cost.
