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UFC moving to Paramount+ in 2026: What changes for Long Island fight-night bars — and what doesn’t

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. — The UFC’s U.S. broadcast home will shift to Paramount+ beginning in January 2026, ending the traditional pay-per-view purchase for fans at home. Numbered events and Fight Nights will stream on Paramount+, with select cards simulcast on CBS. For viewers, that’s a simpler, cheaper way to watch. For bars and restaurants that built busy Saturdays around UFC, it marks a new phase with fresh rules and costs.

The headline changes

• Where to watch: Paramount+ becomes the streaming home for the full UFC calendar in the U.S.; some marquee events will also air on CBS.

• PPV at home goes away: Fans will not buy individual PPVs to watch from home; access comes with a Paramount+ subscription.

• Timing: The change takes effect with the first UFC events of 2026.

What this means for fans

• Lower friction, more consistency: One subscription covers the entire schedule, from prelims to main cards.

• CBS nights broaden access: When a card airs on broadcast TV, expect easier viewing for casual fans and larger social gatherings—at home and out.

• At-home vs. going out: Viewers now have a true choice: the cost advantage favors home, while big-screen, sound-on atmosphere remains the draw to go out.

What this means for bars and clubs

• Commercial rights remain separate: A consumer Paramount+ account does not grant public exhibition. Venues should expect a business/commercial license pathway (similar to previous PPV requirements), administered through an authorized distributor or a business-tier streaming product.

• Fees won’t vanish: While home PPV charges disappear, venues should plan for ongoing commercial fees tied to fight nights.

• Operations matter more: Bars that secure reliable, hard-wired streams, keep sound on for walk-ins and post-fight interviews, and manage seating/reservations should remain strong options for fans who want the communal experience.

• Programming the full card: Expect successful venues to treat prelims as a warm-up window and the main card as prime time, with clear policies on seating, minimums, and last call.

Long Island brands that regularly promote UFC watch nights

(Always confirm each event directly with the venue; schedules and licensing can vary by date.)
Croxley’s Ale House • The Main Event • Miller’s Ale House • Buffalo Wild Wings • Tap Room • Changing Times • Johnny McGorey’s • Canz Bar & Grill, among others that frequently advertise UFC cards and fight-night specials.

Key details locals have been asking about

Will bars be able to stream UFC using a personal Paramount+ account?
No. Consumer terms don’t allow public performance. A commercial license will be required for business use.

Will covers go away?
Policies will vary. Some venues may move from a simple cover to reserved seating or table minimums and publish value-based bundles (buckets + shareables).

Is streaming reliable enough for a packed house?
With a proper setup—hard-wired internet, backup connectivity, business-grade decoders, synchronized screens—yes. Expect top venues to invest accordingly before 2026.

What about latency and spoilers?
Good operators run a single synchronized, low-latency feed across all screens to prevent one end of the room from reacting before the other.

What to watch next (before January 2026)

• Official commercial licensing path for venues: Expect clarity on how bars will obtain rights under the new deal, including compliance/audit procedures.

• Paramount+ consumer pricing updates: Adjustments are expected in 2026, but home viewing remains far cheaper than historic PPV nights.

• Which events land on CBS: Those cards typically bring the broadest audience and the heaviest bar traffic.

Bottom line

• For fans: Access gets cheaper and simpler, with occasional broadcast nights that bring everyone in.

• For venues: The PPV paywall at home disappears, but the event experience—big screens, sound on, no buffering, a lively room—still sets bars apart. The places that deliver that consistently should remain fight-night staples in the Paramount+ era.

Sources: Paramount+/TKO announcements and industry coverage confirming the 2026 start, full-slate streaming on Paramount+, and CBS simulcasts; recent venue promotions for UFC watch nights across the brands listed above.