ESPN Price Hike Hits as PFL's TV Deal Nears End

ESPN is raising subscription prices again, with the increase landing just months before the network's broadcast deal with the PFL runs out.

Starting Sept. 17, ESPN Unlimited climbs from $29.99 to $31.99 per month, with the annual plan rising from $299.99 to $319.99. ESPN Select, the smaller package, goes from $12.99 to $13.99 monthly, with the yearly price moving from $129.99 to $139.99. ESPN Unlimited is the tier that carries the PFL's event lineup along with WWE premium live events and the full slate of ESPN's linear channels.

The hike lands two weeks before the NFL season kicks off, and ESPN recently folded NFL Network programming into the same subscription, which explains the timing more than anything happening in MMA.

What This Means for PFL on ESPN

The PFL is currently the only major MMA promotion still airing fights on ESPN, a distinction that took on new weight after the UFC's seven-year run on the network ended and its cards shifted to Paramount. That makes ESPN Unlimited the only subscription tier where cord-cutting MMA fans can find PFL cards, and now it costs two dollars more a month to get there.

The bigger question is how long that arrangement lasts. PFL's contract with ESPN runs through the end of 2026, and there is no public word yet on whether the two sides are negotiating an extension or whether PFL is shopping for a new home. That uncertainty matters more now than it did a year ago because PFL is no longer just PFL. The promotion recently merged with Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions, with plans to relaunch under the MVP MMA banner in 2027. A new banner and new ownership structure often means a new media rights conversation, and PFL heading into 2027 without a broadcast partner locked in would be a notable storyline for a promotion trying to establish itself as a clear number two in MMA.

Betting Angle

There is no direct line to draw from a subscription price hike to fight odds, but distribution stability matters for how bettors track and watch PFL cards. If PFL's ESPN deal lapses at the end of 2026 without a replacement in hand, that could mean a bumpy transition period for viewership and, by extension, for the visibility of PFL matchups on sportsbook boards. Bettors who follow PFL closely should keep an eye on where MVP MMA lands its next broadcast deal, since a bigger platform typically means more markets and more liquidity on its fights, while a lesser one could mean thinner action heading into 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PFL still on ESPN?

Yes, PFL remains the only major MMA promotion airing fights on ESPN, with its current contract running through the end of 2026.

How much is ESPN raising subscription prices?

Starting Sept. 17, ESPN Unlimited rises from $29.99 to $31.99 per month and ESPN Select rises from $12.99 to $13.99 per month, with matching increases to the annual plans.

Is PFL becoming MVP MMA?

PFL has merged with Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions and plans to rebrand as MVP MMA in 2027, though it is still without a confirmed broadcast deal beyond 2026.