WWE Partnership Expansion Revealed

WWE

WWE and ESPN will be extending their partnership, which started in September with Wrestlepalooza.

It was previously reported that ESPN would be “the exclusive U.S. domestic home of all WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs), including the two-night cultural phenomenon WrestleMania, starting in 2026.”

Wrestlepalooza would be the first PLE to air on ESPN on September 21, bringing an early end to the deal with Peacock.

Sports Business Journal has now reported a deepening of the partnership with ESPN and WWE, with fan-driven experiences at college football games during the CFP.

According to the report, the first ‘fan activation’ will take place on January 16 at the Miami Beach Convention Center and will feature “a custom CFP National Championship title belt, which features co-branded elements and designs inspired by the host city, Hard Rock Stadium, and 136 diamonds for each FBS team.”

The activation doesn’t end with just a custom championship, however, as fans will get the chance to “create their own entrance and walk out along a football‑inspired path with music, lighting effects, smoke and props similar to WWE or their favorite college football team.”

WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella will be on hand to give fans a first-look at the custom title belt on January 8, being on the sideline of the Miami-Ole Miss semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona.

Fans will also be in for a chance to win a replica of the custom belt, thanks to an official ESPN sweepstakes.