\n Posted on: March 1, 2026, 12:08h.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n
\n Last updated on: March 1, 2026, 12:10h.\n <\/p>\n
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- For the first time, WrestleMania 42 will broadcast the opening hour of both nights on basic cable<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Following the free hours, domestic streaming moves exclusively to ESPN Unlimited while most international fans get to watch live for free with Netflix subscriptions<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Tickets are still available for the two-night event at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, ranging from $210 to over $46,000<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In one of the most aggressive distribution shifts in its four-decade history, \u00a0WWE is lowering its \u201cpay-per-view\u201d barrier for Wrestlemania 42 \u2014 at least for an hour.<\/p>\n
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Allegiant Stadium is shown wrapped and ready for 2025\u2019s WrestleMania. (Image: Ethan Miller\/Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n In a calculated gamble to widen the audience, WWE and its new broadcast partners at TKO Group have announced that the first 60 minutes of each night \u2014 April 18-19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas \u2014 will air live on basic cable before disappearing behind ESPN\u2019s new premium streaming tier.<\/p>\n
Saturday\u2019s opening hour will air on ESPN2, Sunday\u2019s on the flagship ESPN.<\/p>\n
Once the free cable hour ends, the viewing experience will fracture based on geography. In the U.S., the full WrestleMania 42 will transition exclusively to ESPN Unlimited. This premium streaming service \u2014 launched in August 2025 for $29.99 per month \u2014 is now the exclusive domestic home for all WWE Premium Live Events under the five\u2011year, $1.6 billion rights deal announced in 2025.<\/p>\n
The strategy \u2014 marking the definitive end of WWE\u2019s Peacock era \u2014 is built to widen the top of ESPN\u2019s funnel as it pushes viewers toward ESPN Unlimited.<\/p>\n
Fans in 39 countries other than the U.S. will get to watch both nights of Wrestlemania 42 in full on Netflix, which now serves as WWE\u2019s global streaming partner.<\/p>\n
Both nights are scheduled to start 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT) \u2014 an hour-earlier \u201cVegas start time\u201d chosen to maximize the cable window and position the opening hour in a stronger ratings slot.<\/p>\n
The match card continues to take shape as the event approaches. Confirmed for Sunday night\u2019s main event is World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk defending his title against 2026 Royal Rumble winner Roman Reigns. Additional title challengers will be determined during Saturday\u2019s Elimination Chamber match, and Brock Lesnar\u2019s open challenge remains one of the weekend\u2019s unresolved storylines.<\/p>\n
Tickets to attend both nights of Wrestlemania 42 remain available on Ticketmaster,<\/a> including single\u2011night options from $216 on Saturday and $210 on Sunday for the nosebleeds, to $5,781 on Saturday and $16,000 on Sunday for platinum floor seats, and from $477 to $46,219 for 2-day combo packages.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
- Following the free hours, domestic streaming moves exclusively to ESPN Unlimited while most international fans get to watch live for free with Netflix subscriptions<\/strong><\/li>\n