WWE Puts First Hour of WrestleMania 42 on Free TV

In one of the boldest distribution changes in its four-decade history, WWE is dropping the traditional pay-per-view barrier for WrestleMania 42, making the event available on basic cable TV for about an hour.

WrestleMania 4’s First Hour to Be Aired for Free

The WWE announced this as a way to broaden its audience reach thanks to its new broadcast partners at TKO Group. Both parties announced that the first 60 minutes of each night on April 18-19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas would be available for free. After that, viewers must still pay for ESPN’s new premium streaming tier to continue watching.

The announcement follows a turbulent rollout for the ESPN app. Launched in August 2025 at $29.99 per month, this premium streaming platform has become the exclusive US home for all WWE Premium Live Events under the five-year, $1.6 billion rights agreement announced in 2025 by WWE.

Many cable and satellite subscribers who expected immediate access were met with delays. Just this week, ESPN confirmed that Xfinity customers would finally receive access to ESPN+ after months of waiting, tied to a new carriage agreement. 

Meanwhile, YouTube TV subscribers could remain without access until the fall, despite the platform resolving its well-publicized dispute with The Walt Disney Company earlier this year. The authentication setbacks have frustrated fans who were assured they would receive ESPN Unlimited as part of a cable or satellite package that included ESPN.

Given this, airing the first hour of WrestleMania on television is a savvy decision for both ESPN and WWE, as it serves as a powerful promotional showcase for their partnership. 

Here’s Some More Interesting Info About the Event

While US viewers will have to either contend with one hour of free entertainment or pay to watch everything else, Fans in 39 countries outside the US will be able to stream both nights of WrestleMania 42 in full on Netflix. Netflix now operates as WWE’s global streaming partner. Each night is set to begin at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT) with the “Vegas start time” designed to maximize the cable broadcast window and place the opening hour in a more favorable ratings slot.

Interestingly, establishments in Las Vegas, especially those in the vicinity of Allegiant Stadium, will not air the event as WrestleMania 42 banned them from doing so due to low ticket sales. 

Meanwhile, if you want to attend the event in person, tickets for both nights of WrestleMania 42 are still available through Ticketmaster. Single-night seats range from $216 for Saturday and $210 for Sunday in the upper levels, but the platinum floor seats can cost thousands. Two-day combo packages are also on sale, priced between $477 and a whopping $46,219 at the highest end.