The UFC has announced an expanded partnership with Paramount+ that directly addresses a fan petition targeting what critics dubbed the "Canadian UFC Tax." The deal is set to improve access and pricing for Canadian fans seeking to watch UFC content.
The UFC has struck an expanded agreement with Paramount+ aimed at improving how Canadian fans access and pay for UFC content, the promotion announced on June 4, 2026.
The deal comes in direct response to sustained fan criticism over what had been widely labeled the "Canadian UFC Tax" — a term used by critics to describe the higher costs and more limited access that Canadian subscribers faced compared to their American counterparts. A fan petition targeting the disparity gained enough traction to prompt action from both the UFC and the streaming platform.
Why it matters
- Canadian fans had long complained about paying more for UFC content than viewers in the United States
- The petition demonstrated that organized fan pressure can influence major media rights decisions
- The expanded Paramount+ partnership signals the UFC's intent to close the access gap in one of its key North American markets
Under the revised arrangement, the UFC and Paramount+ say the new terms are designed to deliver improved pricing and broader content availability for Canadian subscribers. Specific details of the restructured deal were not disclosed in the announcement.
The move reflects a broader trend of combat sports properties revisiting regional streaming agreements as fan expectations around value and access continue to rise. Canada has historically been one of the UFC's strongest markets outside the United States, producing a significant number of ranked fighters and drawing large domestic viewership numbers.
