Paramount Expands UFC Broadcast Reach with New Six-Year Canadian Deal

Paramount has secured a significant expansion of its partnership with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), finalizing a new six-year agreement to bring premier mixed martial arts coverage to Canadian audiences. Starting in 2027, the deal marks a strategic push to consolidate the promotion’s international distribution under the Paramount+ streaming banner.

Expanding the Canadian Broadcast Landscape

Under the terms of the new agreement, Paramount+ will become the exclusive home for the main cards of all 13 numbered UFC events annually in Canada. These events, widely recognized as the promotion’s flagship pay-per-view spectacles, will be available to subscribers live on the streaming platform.

The UFC maintains a deep-rooted connection with Canadian fans, dating back to the debut of UFC 83 in 2008. Since that inaugural event, the promotion has hosted 37 major shows across 11 different cities throughout the country. This new broadcast partnership aims to streamline the viewing experience for this established fan base, moving away from fragmented distribution models.

A Global Strategy in Motion

This Canadian expansion complements Paramount’s broader, long-term commitment to the UFC. The media giant is currently operating under a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal to serve as the exclusive broadcaster for the promotion in the United States and Latin America, a contract that commenced in 2026. That agreement includes the broadcast of 13 numbered events and 30 secondary “Fight Night” events per year, with select numbered events also featured on the CBS linear network.

Beyond North and Latin America, Paramount has also solidified its presence in the Australian market, where it holds rights to show all 30 annual UFC Fight Nights and the preliminary cards for all numbered events.

Commercial Momentum and Financial Growth

The deal arrives during a period of robust commercial activity for the UFC and its parent company, TKO. In the first quarter of 2026, TKO reported a 25% increase in revenue, reaching approximately $1.6 billion. This growth was distributed across the company’s pillars: UFC ($401.2 million), World Wrestling Entertainment ($475.7 million) and IMG ($655.4 million).

A primary driver of this financial performance was a significant uptick in media rights revenue, which saw a $50 million increase to reach $275.3 million for the quarter. Company leadership attributed this growth directly to the successful implementation of the new distribution partnership with Paramount that began earlier this year.

Key Takeaways

• New Canadian Rights: Paramount+ will exclusively stream the main cards of all 13 numbered UFC events in Canada starting in 2027.
• Global Consolidation: The move aligns with Paramount’s $7.7 billion, seven-year deal for US and Latin American rights.
• Financial Impact: UFC media rights revenue saw a notable increase of over $50 million in the first quarter of 2026, largely fueled by the new Paramount distribution agreement.
• Continued Growth: The expansion follows the UFC’s ongoing push to secure high-value commercial partnerships and broaden its global footprint.

Looking Ahead

While the Canadian deal is set to begin in 2027, Paramount has indicated that specific details regarding the inaugural UFC events to be broadcast under this new arrangement will be released later this year. As the promotion continues its transition toward this consolidated streaming model, fans can expect further integration of UFC content across Paramount’s digital ecosystem.