Friday, April 17, 2026

TKO Stock Is Surging. A WWE, UFC, PBR Combo Event Is Next

Many corporate deals promise synergy, but never actually deliver it. TKO Group Holdings is looking to buck that trend by staging joint events involving its entire sports portfolio. 

David Yeazell-Imagn Images

Even before World Wrestling Entertainment and Ultimate Fighting Championship parent company TKO Group Holdings completes a planned expansion of its sports portfolio, a new event model is taking shape. 

TKO said Wednesday it will bring WWE, UFC, and Professional Bull Riders events to Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center over a five-day stretch in late April, initiating a new type of joint touring format for the organizations. The first “TKO Takeover,” as the company is calling it, is an early indicator of the planned integration of the restructured company.

Last fall, TKO and majority owner Endeavor said they would consolidate sports assets held by Endeavor, including On Location, PBR, and IMG, within TKO in a $3.25 billion deal. That effort is expected to close by the end of June, and perhaps within a matter of weeks. The Kansas City effort, however, is the beginning of a planned strategy in which TKO will pitch combined events to various arenas and stadiums, sports commissions, and tourism boards. 

As a result, the cumulative effect in many instances on a particular city could be similar to an all-star game or national-level competition in another major sport. The TKO Takeover will include sales of an all-in-one ticket bundle for the three events. On Location will be involved here, too, as it will sell VIP-level tickets and fan experiences for the weekend.

PBR will begin the Kansas City sequence on April 24, followed by a UFC Fight Night on April 26, and conclude with an installment of WWE’s Raw on April 28. WWE, UFC, and PBR will still stage some other events separately, depending on various schedules and business matters, but the effort beginning in Kansas City is clearly designed to show their combined power.   

“This is a unique opportunity to showcase these three premier properties in one city at the same time for the benefit of fans and visitors to the area,” said TKO EVP of event development and operations Peter Dropick.

TKO will disclose its fourth-quarter and full-year earnings for 2024 after the close of market activity Wednesday. The company’s stock has nearly doubled in value over the last year.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 4, 2026; Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA; Byeong Hun An in action during the first round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club.

LIV Golf CEO: League Looking for New Investors

Scott O’Neil admitted LIV will need to raise money moving forward.

LIV Golf’s Future: Three Big Questions If Saudi Funding Dries Up

LIV players could be seeking a return to the PGA Tour.
The Miz Stephen A. Smith WWE

ESPN Going All Out for WWE WrestleMania in Las Vegas

There has been plenty of crossover between ESPN and WWE this week.
exclusive

Caleb Williams Didn’t Mean to Start an ‘Iceman’ Fight

“It’s all respect” to NBA legend George “Iceman” Gervin, Williams told FOS.

Featured Today

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.
blake griffin
April 14, 2026

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.
Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports
April 10, 2026

Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall

The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.
April 9, 2026

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) heads for the locker room after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 14 game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. The Bills overcame a halftime deficit to win 39-34.

Joe Flacco Sounds Alarm on 18-Game Schedule

The veteran QB warns such expansion could hurt the playoffs.
April 16, 2026

Grand Slam Track’s Contentious Bankruptcy Is Over. Now What?

With bankruptcy over, Grand Slam is cleared to try a comeback.
Apr 15, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (4) clears the puck from the goal with Dallas Stars left wing Adam Erne (73) in pursuit in the third period at KeyBank Center.
April 17, 2026

New-Look NHL Playoffs Set As League Rides Attendance Wave

This year’s playoff field includes several upstarts and fresh storylines.
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
Dec 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
April 16, 2026

NBA Bends 65-Game Awards Rule for Dončić, Cunningham

Anthony Edwards, meanwhile, lost his appeal.
Apr 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives past Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) and guard Darius Garland (10) in the second half during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome.
exclusive
April 16, 2026

NBA Is in Talks With Kalshi and Polymarket

Discussions ramped up after the CFTC began engaging with leagues, sources say.
April 16, 2026

NFL Draft Week Brings Tension, Trade Rumors, Pittsburgh Frenzy

Trade talk grows while hotel rooms in Pittsburgh remain historically expensive.
April 16, 2026

2026 WNBA Draft Was Second-Most Watched in Event History

Viewership trends mirror those of the NCAA women’s basketball title game.