UFC on Paramount Plus is now the standard way to watch the promotion in the U.S. Both Paramount+ plans, Essential and Premium, include every live numbered event and Fight Night at no extra charge, so you no longer buy pay-per-views. This guide focuses on the practical side: which plan to pick, what a year of UFC really costs, and how to get the app running on your TV before the next card.
If you want the wider picture of every legal way to follow the sport, including CBS simulcasts and UFC Fight Pass, see our overview of where to watch UFC.
What is included with UFC on Paramount+
Paramount’s seven-year agreement with TKO started on January 1, 2026. According to Paramount, every UFC fight streams on Paramount+ live and on demand, covering:
- All 13 numbered events a year (the former pay-per-view cards), including early prelims, prelims and main cards.
- Around 30 UFC Fight Nights per year.
- Replays and an on-demand collection of past fights.
- Zuffa Boxing events, Dana White’s boxing promotion, which also streams on Paramount+.
Selected numbered events are simulcast on CBS, but everything streams on Paramount+ either way.
Essential vs Premium: which plan do you need?
Both plans carry the same live UFC events. The difference is everything around the fights.
| Feature | Paramount+ Essential | Paramount+ Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price (approx.) | $8.99 | $13.99 |
| Annual price (approx.) | $89.99 | $139.99 |
| Every live UFC event | Yes | Yes |
| Ads in on-demand shows | Yes | No (except live TV and a few titles) |
| Showtime content | No | Yes |
| Live local CBS station feed | Not included (some exceptions) | Yes |
Prices are the advertised U.S. rates at the time of writing. If you only care about UFC, Essential is enough. Premium makes sense if you also watch Paramount+ shows and want fewer ads, or you want your live local CBS feed in the app for CBS simulcast nights and other sports.
What a year of UFC costs now
Under the old ESPN+ model, a fan who bought every numbered event paid around $80 per pay-per-view plus a monthly ESPN+ subscription. Now the full year looks like this:
| How you pay | Approx. cost per year |
|---|---|
| Paramount+ Essential, annual plan | $89.99 |
| Paramount+ Essential, monthly all year | About $107.88 |
| Paramount+ Premium, annual plan | $139.99 |
| Paramount+ Premium, monthly all year | About $167.88 |
The annual plan is the better value for anyone who watches most weekends. If you only watch a few big cards, you can subscribe month by month around those events and cancel in between, as long as you remember to cancel before renewal.
How to set up Paramount+ for UFC on your TV
- Sign up at paramountplus.com or in the Paramount+ app and choose Essential or Premium.
- Install the Paramount+ app on your device. It is available on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV and Android TV, Samsung and LG smart TVs, Xbox and PlayStation.
- Sign in with your account, or activate the TV app with the code shown on screen.
- Open the Sports or Live section, or search “UFC”, to find the UFC hub with upcoming events and replays.
- On fight night, start the stream a few minutes early and check that your internet connection is stable. A wired connection or strong Wi-Fi helps with high-quality playback.
If your TV is older or the app runs slowly, a modern streaming stick is the easiest fix. Our guides to the best streaming devices and the best device for a non-smart TV can help. If streams buffer, our article on why streams buffer explains the common causes.
Tips for fight night
- Check start times in your time zone. International cards, such as events in Abu Dhabi, often start in the morning or early afternoon for U.S. viewers.
- Update the app before the event. Pending updates on smart TVs and streaming sticks are a common reason a stream will not open on time.
- Watch the number of screens. Paramount+ limits how many streams can run at once on one account, so check the current limit if your household watches on several devices.
- Use replays if you miss the start. Live events can usually be restarted or watched on demand once they finish.
UFC on CBS nights
When a numbered event is simulcast on CBS, you have three options: an antenna for free over-the-air CBS, a live TV service or cable package that carries your local CBS station, or Paramount+. On Paramount+, the event appears in the UFC hub regardless of whether it is also on CBS.
Not every numbered event goes to CBS, and the simulcast is usually announced in the weeks before the card. Check the CBS schedule or the UFC event page each week.
Getting more from your subscription
Paramount+ also includes plenty of other live sports, such as NFL games on CBS, college football and Champions League soccer. If you like having many live channels and sports in one place, some viewers pair a licensed streaming app with an IPTV service. Always make sure any service you use is licensed for what it carries. IPTV is legal technology, but restreams of Paramount+ or UFC events without rights are not.
Is Paramount+ worth it for UFC?
For U.S. fans, yes. It is the only place to stream every UFC event live in 2026, and the annual Essential plan costs about the same as one old pay-per-view. Start with Essential, upgrade to Premium only if you want the extra library features, and keep an antenna for CBS nights.
FAQ
Does UFC on Paramount Plus cost extra for numbered events?
No. Numbered events are included with both Paramount+ plans. There is no separate pay-per-view fee in the U.S. under the new deal.
Can I watch UFC on Paramount Plus with the Essential plan?
Yes. Paramount says both Essential and Premium include every UFC fight. Essential is the cheapest way to watch all the live events.
Are UFC prelims on Paramount Plus?
Yes. Early prelims, prelims and main cards stream on Paramount+. On nights with a CBS simulcast, part of the card may also appear on CBS.
Can I watch UFC replays on Paramount Plus?
Yes. Events are available on demand after they air, along with a collection of past fights. Availability of older events can change over time.
Does Paramount Plus have Zuffa Boxing too?
Yes. Zuffa Boxing, the boxing promotion backed by TKO and Dana White, also streams on Paramount+, so the same subscription covers both UFC and those boxing cards.
Part of our guides: USA streaming guide
