NEW YORK – September 29, 2025 – Paramount+ is set to become the exclusive streaming home for Zuffa Boxing across the United States, Canada, and Latin America. The landmark, multi-year media rights agreement, announced today, will bring a full slate of professional boxing events to the streaming service beginning in January 2026.
This strategic partnership signifies a major move by Paramount into the boxing landscape, complementing its existing and upcoming sports portfolio, which includes a substantial deal for UFC rights starting next year.
Zuffa Boxing: A New Era for Professional Boxing
Zuffa Boxing represents a significant new venture in the sport, formed as a joint promotion between TKO Group Holdings and the Saudi Arabian entertainment conglomerate Sela. TKO Group Holdings, the parent company overseeing both the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), brings unparalleled expertise in combat sports promotion and management to Zuffa Boxing. The leadership team spearheading this new endeavor includes UFC President and CEO Dana White, WWE President and TKO Board Member Nick Khan, HE Turki Alalshikh (Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and President of the Saudi Boxing Federation), and Sela Managing Director and CEO Dr. Rakan Alharthy.
The promotion’s stated goal is to “reimagine the sport of boxing” by implementing a unified, promoter-driven model akin to the UFC’s successful structure. This approach aims to provide a more consistent schedule, centralized matchmaking, and ultimately, restore boxing to its prominent position in the global sports arena. Zuffa Boxing has already made its mark with its inaugural event on September 13, 2025, which featured the highly anticipated super middleweight clash between Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford.
Paramount+’s Growing Sports Footprint
The deal marks Paramount’s significant return to boxing coverage, filling a void left by the discontinuation of Showtime Sports. For Paramount+, the acquisition of Zuffa Boxing rights is a critical component of its strategy to bolster subscriber growth and retention in the highly competitive streaming market. The platform is actively expanding its live sports offerings, which already feature major leagues like the NFL and UEFA Champions League, and will soon include the UFC.
The agreement guarantees at least 12 Zuffa Boxing events in its inaugural year on Paramount+ in 2026, with plans to increase the number of cards in subsequent years. In a move to broaden its reach, select Zuffa Boxing bouts may also be simulcast on CBS, the flagship broadcast network of Paramount, and potentially other Paramount-owned platforms. This cross-platform strategy is designed to maximize engagement and revenue through both subscription and advertising.
Cindy Holland, Chair of Direct-to-Consumer for Paramount, emphasized that this partnership aligns with the company’s core objectives. “Paramount has long been a leader in sports and sports storytelling, and this partnership marks a bold new chapter – not just for us, but for the future of boxing,” Holland stated. “It’s a partnership that advances several of our core priorities: delivering premium sports to fans, providing audiences with year-round marquee live events, and creating long-term value through a differentiated, must-watch portfolio of content.”.
Impact on Boxing and Fans
The integration of Zuffa Boxing’s fight schedule onto Paramount+ promises a more accessible and consistent viewing experience for boxing fans across North America and Latin America. This move reflects a broader industry trend where streaming services are increasingly investing in high-value sports rights to differentiate their offerings and attract a dedicated audience.
Fans can anticipate a steady stream of action, featuring both emerging talent and established stars. Dana White expressed his enthusiasm for the deal, stating, “I’m excited to bring great boxing events to a global audience. There are millions of boxing fans that will now be able to watch competitive fights with up-and-coming boxers as well as the biggest stars in the sport. Paramount will be the home for UFC and boxing fans to watch the greatest fights in combat sports”. HE Turki Alalshikh added that the partnership “reinforces our vision to redefine the way viewers consume boxing,” noting that the appetite for live fights is robust and this model will help the sport thrive.
By consolidating Zuffa Boxing and UFC programming on Paramount+, the platform aims to establish a formidable combat sports destination. This synergy is expected to drive significant subscriber growth and enhance viewer loyalty, solidifying Paramount+’s position in the competitive streaming market. While specific financial terms of the Zuffa Boxing deal have not been disclosed, its multi-year and multi-territory scope indicates a substantial commitment from Paramount, reinforcing its aggressive pursuit of premium live sports content.
The agreement between Paramount+ and Zuffa Boxing heralds an exciting new chapter for professional boxing, promising increased visibility and regular programming for fans worldwide. This collaboration harnesses the promotional power of TKO Group Holdings and the extensive reach of Paramount’s streaming and broadcast networks.
