The UFC has announced a six-year deal that will see all numbered event main cards air live on Paramount+ in Canada beginning in 2027. The move ends pay-per-view for Canadian fans, representing a significant shift in how the promotion delivers its top content to that market. Prelim and early preliminary cards are expected to remain on Sportsnet for the duration of that existing agreement.
The UFC has struck a six-year broadcast agreement that will bring all numbered event main cards to Paramount+ in Canada starting in 2027, the promotion announced on June 4, 2026.
The deal marks a fundamental change in how Canadian fans access the UFC's premier content. For years, numbered event main cards have sat behind a pay-per-view wall in Canada, requiring fans to purchase each event individually. Under the new arrangement, those main cards will be included within a Paramount+ subscription, effectively ending the pay-per-view model for that market when the deal kicks in.
Why it matters
- Canadian fans will no longer pay per event for numbered main cards once the agreement begins in 2027
- The six-year term signals a long-term commitment from both the UFC and Paramount+ to the Canadian market
- Preliminary and early preliminary cards are expected to continue airing on Sportsnet under its existing deal, keeping a multi-platform structure in place
The shift mirrors broader trends in combat sports broadcasting, where streaming platforms have increasingly moved to secure live rights for major events rather than relying on traditional pay-per-view distribution. Canada becomes a significant test case for how the UFC's top-tier content performs within a subscription model rather than a transactional one.
The arrangement leaves the existing Sportsnet relationship intact for undercard bouts, meaning Canadian viewers will still need access to that network for prelims while turning to Paramount+ for the marquee action on numbered event nights.
