Broadcasting Rights Window Between UFC and ESPN Expires, as Other Streaming Services Show Interest

In 2018, the UFC signed a five-year $1.5 billion dollar deal with ESPN for exclusive live broadcasting rights.

Dana White, president of the UFC, speaks at a news conference after the UFC 229 mixed martial arts event in Las Vegas on Oct. 6, 2018. AP Photo/John Locher, File

Broadcasting rights between The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and ESPN have officially expired, with other networks now entering the picture in hopes of potentially securing a future deal.

The exclusive negotiating window between the two ended at midnight on April 15, indicating both parties were unable to come to an agreement and opening the door for negotiation elsewhere.

Three days prior, UFC President Dana White addressed the contract coming to a close and hinted at the possibility of pursuing other partnerships while diversifying UFC content.

“When the window opens, we‘ll obviously start talking to lots of different people and we’ll see what the options are out there,” he said during the UFC 314 post-fight press conference.

“We’ve said this every time: There could be a time when we end up on several different networks like all other sports do.”

“I like ESPN,” White continued at the presser. “I’ve said it many times: We had a bit of a rocky start, which is normal in any relationship, but we’re in a great place with ESPN. Whether we re-sign with them or do not, I have nothing but great things to say about my time at ESPN.”

In 2018, UFC signed a five-year $1.5 billion deal with ESPN for exclusive live broadcasting rights, which included the company’s direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service, ESPN+.

At the time, ESPN president and co-chairman of Disney Media Networks, Jimmy Pitaro, expressed enthusiasm for the move and reaffirmed peak viewer experience for its users.

“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,” read the press release.

“This agreement shows the commitment we have to delivering fans the very best across our entire platform.”

In 2019, they extended the deal for another two years, with ESPN licensing its UFC pay-per-view content.

The number of ESPN+ subscribers in the United States increased from 1.4 million in 2019 to 24.9 million in the first quarter of 2025, according to Statista.

In response to the expired negotiating window, Pitaro remained optimistic that ESPN could still be in the running.

“I wouldn’t read too much into that. We’re not hyper-focused on that window,” he told Sports Business Journal in an article published on April 14.

“We know that there’s going to be interest in the UFC, and that’s great for the sport. It’s great for them, but we remain interested in trying to figure something out with those guys.”