Paramount+ Review: Price, UFC, NFL on CBS & Champions League
Compare Paramount+ monthly plans, live sports channels, regional blackout rules, and supported devices.
Paramount+ Review: Verdict, Cost & Sports Coverage
WhereSports Editorial Desk • Audited October 2026
The Verdict
Our Verdict: Paramount+ is now the highest-value standalone sports streaming app in the United States. Even on the $8.99/mo Essential plan ($89.99/yr), you get every local NFL on CBS game, 100% of the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Italian Serie A, plus all 13 numbered UFC events and 30 UFC Fight Nights with zero extra Pay-Per-View fees starting in 2026. However, if you want to watch NCAA March Madness, Big Ten college football, or PGA Tour golf airing on your local CBS station, do not buy Essential: you must upgrade to Paramount+ Premium / with SHOWTIME ($13.99/mo or $139.99/yr) to unlock the 24/7 live local CBS feed.
Best For
- UFC fans in the US who want all 13 numbered UFC cards and 30 Fight Nights live with zero $79.99 PPV charges starting in 2026
- Soccer fans watching every UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, EFL, and Serie A match live
- Football fans streaming local Sunday afternoon NFL on CBS games and the AFC Playoffs without paying $83/mo for cable
- College basketball, Big Ten football, and PGA Tour fans upgrading to the $13.99/mo Premium plan for a 24/7 live local CBS station
Pricing Reality
Following the January 2026 price update, Paramount+ costs $8.99/mo ($89.99/yr) for Essential and $13.99/mo ($139.99/yr) for Premium (Paramount+ with SHOWTIME):
- The Local CBS Trap on Essential ($8.99/mo): Essential includes NFL on CBS, UFC, and UEFA/Serie A soccer, but it blocks your 24/7 local CBS TV station. To stream NCAA March Madness, Big Ten football, or golf on CBS, you need the $13.99/mo Premium tier (or a $25 indoor TV antenna).
- Zero UFC Pay-Per-View Fees: Starting in 2026, numbered UFC events no longer cost $79.99 on ESPN+ in the US. Every UFC card is included inside your standard Paramount+ subscription at no extra charge.
- Free via Walmart+ Membership: Before paying $8.99/mo directly, check if you have Walmart+ ($98/yr, or $49/yr for students/SNAP), which includes Paramount+ Essential for $0 extra.
- Student & Military 25% Discount: Verified college students (SheerID) and military/veterans get 25% off monthly Paramount+ plans.
Devices & Account Features
- Supported Devices: Available on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Google TV, Android TV.
- Simultaneous Streams: Up to 2 concurrent streams per account (depending on tier).
- Cloud DVR & Replays: VOD Replays.
- Subscription Model: Direct digital sign-up with online account cancellation.
In-Depth Platform Analysis & Coverage
Owned by Paramount Skydance Corporation, Paramount+ is the US streaming home of CBS Sports. Starting in 2026, it carries all 43 annual UFC events (including 13 numbered cards with zero PPV fees), local NFL on CBS Sunday games, and every UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, EFL, and Italian Serie A match. While the $8.99/mo Essential plan includes NFL, UFC, and soccer, upgrading to the $13.99/mo Premium (with SHOWTIME) plan unlocks your 24/7 live local CBS station for NCAA March Madness, Big Ten football, and PGA Tour golf, plus select 4K HDR streams across 3 screens.
What We Like (Pros)
- Saves UFC fans over $1,000 a year by including all 13 numbered UFC cards and 30 Fight Nights with no PPV fees
- Cheapest legal way ($8.99/mo, or free with Walmart+) to stream local Sunday NFL on CBS games and all UEFA Champions League soccer
- Sharp 1080p 60fps video across all sports with select marquee NFL and CBS broadcasts in 4K HDR
- Allows 3 simultaneous streams across Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Smart TVs, PlayStation, Xbox, and mobile
What to Consider (Cons)
- The $8.99/mo Essential plan blocks your 24/7 local CBS station (meaning no NCAA March Madness, Big Ten football, or PGA Tour on CBS)
- No personal Cloud DVR storage to record live games, forcing you to wait for on-demand replays after the final whistle
- Only carries NFL games assigned to your local CBS station (out-of-market Sunday games still require NFL Sunday Ticket)
- Live sports and the 24/7 local CBS feed still show standard TV commercial breaks even on the $13.99/mo ad-free tier
Subscription Packages & Pricing
Ad-supported entry plan streaming live local NFL on CBS games, all UFC numbered events and Fight Nights, and every UEFA Champions League and Serie A match. Does not include the 24/7 local CBS TV station.
- All 13 UFC numbered events & 30 Fight Nights (Zero PPV fees)
- Live local NFL on CBS regular-season & AFC Playoff games
- Every UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Serie A & EFL match
- 24/7 CBS Sports Golazo Network & CBS Sports HQ
- Watch on up to 3 screens at the same time in 1080p 60fps
Adds your 24/7 live local CBS TV affiliate (required for NCAA March Madness, Big Ten football, and PGA Tour golf on CBS), full Showtime access, ad-free on-demand shows, and select 4K HDR streams.
- Everything in Essential (NFL on CBS, UFC & UEFA/Serie A soccer)
- 24/7 live feed of your local CBS TV station (March Madness, Big Ten, Golf)
- Full Showtime library & ad-free on-demand streaming
- Select marquee sports & movies in 4K UHD with Dolby Vision
- Offline mobile downloads & 3 simultaneous streams
What Leagues & Sports Can You Watch on Paramount+?
Official broadcasting rights and live competition schedules carried by Paramount+.
Live & Upcoming Matches on Paramount+
Live sporting fixtures scheduled on Paramount+ carried channels and tournaments.
Recently Aired Matches on Paramount+
Recent sports matches and tournament games previously broadcasted across Paramount+ channels.
Live TV Channels & Station Lineup
Official television networks and sports broadcast feeds carried by Paramount+.
Where Paramount+ is Available
Select your regional sports TV hub to browse local channels and schedules.
Supported Devices & Streaming Apps
Native applications and verified hardware compatibility for Paramount+.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are UFC Pay-Per-View events really included on Paramount+ in 2026?
Yes! Starting in January 2026 under Paramount's 7-year US broadcast deal with UFC, the old $79.99 Pay-Per-View model is gone in the United States. All 13 numbered UFC events and 30 UFC Fight Nights stream live inside your standard Paramount+ subscription at no extra PPV cost, with select major fights also simulcast on CBS.
What sports are missing from the $8.99/mo Paramount+ Essential plan?
While the $8.99/month Essential plan includes live NFL on CBS games, UFC events, and dedicated soccer streams (UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Serie A, and EFL), it does not include a 24/7 live feed of your local CBS TV station. To watch NCAA March Madness basketball, Big Ten college football, or PGA Tour golf airing on CBS, you must upgrade to the $13.99/month Premium (with SHOWTIME) plan.
How much does Paramount+ cost in 2026 and how can I get it for free?
As of January 2026, Paramount+ Essential costs $8.99/month (or $89.99/year) and Paramount+ Premium (with SHOWTIME) costs $13.99/month (or $139.99/year). However, Walmart+ members ($98/year, or $49/year for students and qualifying government assistance recipients) get Paramount+ Essential included at no extra cost, and students/military get 25% off direct monthly plans.
Can I watch every NFL game on Paramount+?
No. Paramount+ only streams the Sunday afternoon NFL games (1:00 PM and 4:05/4:25 PM ET) that are broadcast on your local CBS station, plus the AFC Playoffs. Out-of-market CBS Sunday games require NFL Sunday Ticket, FOX Sunday games air on FOX One, Sunday Night Football is on Peacock, Monday Night Football is on ESPN, and Thursday Night Football is on Prime Video.
How many devices can stream Paramount+ at the same time?
Paramount+ allows up to 3 simultaneous streams per account across Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Google TV, Samsung and LG Smart TVs, PlayStation, Xbox, iOS, Android, and web browsers.