Paramount+ Raises Its Price Before UFC Debut

Paramount+ is set to implement a price increase on January 15, a move nine days before the platform hosts its first UFC event at UFC 324 on January 24. 

The price adjustment follows Paramount’s seven-year, $7.7 billion broadcast agreement with the UFC, which officially shifted the promotion away from the ESPN pay-per-view model. To support this massive investment, Paramount is raising rates across both its monthly and annual tiers.

While the increase is noticeable—particularly the $30 jump for the annual Essential plan—the new model represents a shift in value for combat sports fans. Under the previous ESPN deal, fans were required to pay for a monthly subscription plus a $79.99 fee for every “numbered” pay-per-view event. On Paramount+, all 13 annual numbered events and 30 Fight Night cards are included in the base subscription price at no extra cost.

The price hike serves as a gateway to more big fights. The deal officially kicks off with UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett. The card also features the return of Amanda Nunes against bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison. Following this, the promotion immediately travels to Sydney for UFC 325 on January 31, as Alexander Volkanovski rematches Diego Lopes.  

The Vision

“I couldn’t be more excited to join forces with Dana, Ari, and Mark. Rarely do opportunities arise to partner on an exclusive basis with a global sports powerhouse like UFC – an organization with extraordinary global recognition, scale, and cultural impact. Paramount’s advantage lies in the expansive reach of our linear and streaming platforms.

“Live sports continue to be a cornerstone of our broader strategy — driving engagement subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty, and the addition of UFC’s year-round must-watch events to our platforms is a major win. We look forward to delivering this premium content to millions of fans in the U.S., and potentially beyond,” David Ellison (Chairman and CEO of Paramount) said

“This is a milestone moment and landmark deal for UFC, solidifying its position as a preeminent global sports asset. Our decade-long journey with UFC has been defined by continuous growth and expansion, and this agreement is an important realization of our strategy. We believe wholeheartedly in David’s vision and look forward to being in business with a company that will prioritize technology as a means to enhance storytelling and the overall viewing experience,” (Ariel Emanuel Executive Chair and CEO, TKO) said

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