TKO Group Partners with Arizona for Multi-Year Sports Events Agreement
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 12 2026
0mins
TKO Group, together with the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance, announced a multi-year agreement that will stage a series of premier UFC, WWE, PBR, and Zuffa Boxing events in Arizona. The seven-event agreement will span three years and feature some of TKO's most high-profile live events, creating new opportunities for fans to experience UFC, WWE, PBR, and Zuffa Boxing events in one of the country's leading sports and entertainment markets. "We're excited to build this long-term partnership with the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance to bring some of our biggest events to the state," said Peter Dropick, Executive Vice President, Event Development and Operations for TKO. "We look forward to creating unforgettable moments for fans across the region over the next three years."
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Analyst Views on TKO
Wall Street analysts forecast TKO stock price to rise
12 Analyst Rating
11 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 200.540
Low
210.00
Averages
229.42
High
251.00
Current: 200.540
Low
210.00
Averages
229.42
High
251.00
About TKO
TKO Group Holdings, Inc. is a sports and entertainment company. It owns properties including Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a mixed martial arts organization; World Wrestling Entertainment, LLC (WWE), a sports entertainment; and Professional Bull Riders (PBR), a bull riding organization. It also services and partners with sports rights holders through IMG, a global sports marketing agency, and On Location, an experiential hospitality. Its segments include UFC, WWE and IMG. The UFC segment reflects the business operations of UFC, which consists of media rights fees associated with the distribution of its programming content; ticket sales and site fees associated with the business's global live events; partnerships and marketing, and consumer product licensing agreements of UFC-branded products. The WWE segment reflects the business operations of WWE. The IMG segment includes the IMG business and On Location. IMG business is an independent global distributor of sports programming.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Market Capitalization Comparison: TKO vs REG
- Market Cap Comparison: TKO Group Holdings Inc has a market capitalization of $14.56 billion, compared to Regency Centers Corp's $14.23 billion, indicating TKO's relative strength in the market, which may attract more investor interest.
- Investor Misconceptions: Many novice investors often mistakenly compare company values solely based on stock prices, but market capitalization provides a more accurate assessment of a company's value, aiding investors in making informed decisions.
- Market Positioning Impact: Market capitalization not only affects a company's ranking among peers but also determines which mutual funds and ETFs are willing to invest in the stock, particularly as large funds tend to favor companies with market caps exceeding $10 billion.
- Stock Price Fluctuations: As of Thursday's close, TKO's stock price fell approximately 1.4%, while REG's stock price rose about 0.8%, reflecting differing investor sentiments and short-term performance for the two companies.
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- Ticket Sales: Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT ABU DHABI will go on sale soon, with fans encouraged to register early via VisitAbuDhabi.ae for the best chance to secure tickets, alongside exclusive hotel and ticket packages to further enhance tourism.
- Event Impact: This event will reinforce Abu Dhabi's status as a key UFC destination, following successful past events like WHITTAKER vs. DE RIDDER and ASPINALL vs. GANE, which attracted significant audiences and increased the region's international profile.
- Global Network Expansion: Through its collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi, UFC continues to expand its global network of government and private partnerships, driving economic and cultural impact while providing fans worldwide with high-quality live event experiences.
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UFC Launches New Commercial Subscription Package
- New Package Launch: UFC, in collaboration with Joe Hand Promotions, has introduced a new commercial subscription package called 'Championship Rounds,' which includes 13 marquee events and 30 fight nights, aimed at providing rich live content for bars and restaurants across the U.S., enhancing customer experience and engagement.
- Content Richness: The package offers over 25 hours of live UFC content monthly, significantly exceeding the 3 hours of a single event, and incorporates Zuffa Boxing, UFC BJJ, and Power Slap, ensuring year-round entertainment supply for commercial venues, thereby increasing customer loyalty.
- Customer Attraction: UFC's survey indicates that its programming attracts groups of 3-5 customers, with 88% returning on non-UFC nights, demonstrating that this package not only boosts live attendance but also enhances overall revenue for establishments.
- Market Leadership: Joe Hand Promotions, as UFC's exclusive commercial distributor, leverages 50 years of industry experience to ensure high-quality viewing experiences for customers, further solidifying its leadership position in the U.S. market.
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TKO Group Holdings Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights
- Share Buyback Plan: TKO Group announced an incremental $1 billion share repurchase authorization, expected to be largely completed soon, reflecting the company's confidence in its long-term value while enhancing shareholder returns.
- Strong Financial Performance: Q1 revenue reached $1.597 billion, a 26% year-over-year increase, with adjusted EBITDA of $550 million and an EBITDA margin of 34%, demonstrating robust demand in new rights deals and the experienced economy.
- Middle East Market Plans: Despite the withdrawal of funding from LIV Golf, TKO's partners confirmed that six scheduled events in the Middle East, including UFC and WWE, will proceed as planned, indicating the company's strategic commitment to the region.
- Future Outlook: TKO reaffirmed its full-year revenue target of $5.675 billion to $5.775 billion and adjusted EBITDA target of $2.24 billion to $2.29 billion for 2026, showcasing confidence in future growth.
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EA Unveils UFC 6, Promising Unmatched Fighter Authenticity
- Game Release Announcement: EA has announced that EA SPORTS™ UFC® 6 will officially launch on June 19, 2026, for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, marking a significant innovation and development in the fighting game sector.
- Technological Advancements: The new game utilizes Markerless Capture and Sapien technology to make athletes' movements and reactions more realistic, enhancing the game's authenticity and individuality, which is expected to attract more fighting game enthusiasts.
- Cover Athletes: Former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and former featherweight champion Max Holloway grace the covers of the Standard and Ultimate Editions, showcasing each athlete's unique style and personality, thereby enhancing player immersion.
- Pre-order Bonuses: Players who pre-order the Ultimate Edition will receive 7-day early access and various unique fighter skins, which is expected to drive sales growth and enhance player engagement and loyalty.
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Analysis of Upcoming U.S. Jobs Report Outlook
- Job Market Expectations: According to FactSet consensus estimates, the U.S. is expected to add only 50,000 jobs in April, significantly lower than March's 178,000, indicating signs of economic slowdown that could impact investor confidence.
- Unemployment Rate Stability: The unemployment rate is anticipated to remain steady at 4.3%, suggesting that despite the decrease in job additions, the labor market remains relatively stable, potentially alleviating fears of an economic downturn.
- GDP Growth Situation: The U.S. GDP grew at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 2% in the first quarter, higher than the fourth quarter's 0.5% but below the 2.2% estimate, reflecting economic sluggishness that may influence future monetary policy decisions.
- Market Volatility: Despite a strong performance in April, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hitting record highs, investors should remain cautious of the upcoming
See More
Market Capitalization Comparison: TKO vs REG
- Market Cap Comparison: TKO Group Holdings Inc has a market capitalization of $14.56 billion, compared to Regency Centers Corp's $14.23 billion, indicating TKO's relative strength in the market, which may attract more investor interest.
- Investor Misconceptions: Many novice investors often mistakenly compare company values solely based on stock prices, but market capitalization provides a more accurate assessment of a company's value, aiding investors in making informed decisions.
- Market Positioning Impact: Market capitalization not only affects a company's ranking among peers but also determines which mutual funds and ETFs are willing to invest in the stock, particularly as large funds tend to favor companies with market caps exceeding $10 billion.
- Stock Price Fluctuations: As of Thursday's close, TKO's stock price fell approximately 1.4%, while REG's stock price rose about 0.8%, reflecting differing investor sentiments and short-term performance for the two companies.
See More
UFC Returns to Abu Dhabi for Fight Night Event
- Event Return: UFC announces its highly anticipated UFC FIGHT NIGHT ABU DHABI on July 25, 2026, at Etihad Arena, marking the continuation of its long-standing partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, expected to draw large crowds and boost the local economy.
- Ticket Sales: Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT ABU DHABI will go on sale soon, with fans encouraged to register early via VisitAbuDhabi.ae for the best chance to secure tickets, alongside exclusive hotel and ticket packages to further enhance tourism.
- Event Impact: This event will reinforce Abu Dhabi's status as a key UFC destination, following successful past events like WHITTAKER vs. DE RIDDER and ASPINALL vs. GANE, which attracted significant audiences and increased the region's international profile.
- Global Network Expansion: Through its collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi, UFC continues to expand its global network of government and private partnerships, driving economic and cultural impact while providing fans worldwide with high-quality live event experiences.
See More
UFC Launches New Commercial Subscription Package
- New Package Launch: UFC, in collaboration with Joe Hand Promotions, has introduced a new commercial subscription package called 'Championship Rounds,' which includes 13 marquee events and 30 fight nights, aimed at providing rich live content for bars and restaurants across the U.S., enhancing customer experience and engagement.
- Content Richness: The package offers over 25 hours of live UFC content monthly, significantly exceeding the 3 hours of a single event, and incorporates Zuffa Boxing, UFC BJJ, and Power Slap, ensuring year-round entertainment supply for commercial venues, thereby increasing customer loyalty.
- Customer Attraction: UFC's survey indicates that its programming attracts groups of 3-5 customers, with 88% returning on non-UFC nights, demonstrating that this package not only boosts live attendance but also enhances overall revenue for establishments.
- Market Leadership: Joe Hand Promotions, as UFC's exclusive commercial distributor, leverages 50 years of industry experience to ensure high-quality viewing experiences for customers, further solidifying its leadership position in the U.S. market.
See More
TKO Group Holdings Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights
- Share Buyback Plan: TKO Group announced an incremental $1 billion share repurchase authorization, expected to be largely completed soon, reflecting the company's confidence in its long-term value while enhancing shareholder returns.
- Strong Financial Performance: Q1 revenue reached $1.597 billion, a 26% year-over-year increase, with adjusted EBITDA of $550 million and an EBITDA margin of 34%, demonstrating robust demand in new rights deals and the experienced economy.
- Middle East Market Plans: Despite the withdrawal of funding from LIV Golf, TKO's partners confirmed that six scheduled events in the Middle East, including UFC and WWE, will proceed as planned, indicating the company's strategic commitment to the region.
- Future Outlook: TKO reaffirmed its full-year revenue target of $5.675 billion to $5.775 billion and adjusted EBITDA target of $2.24 billion to $2.29 billion for 2026, showcasing confidence in future growth.
See More
EA Unveils UFC 6, Promising Unmatched Fighter Authenticity
- Game Release Announcement: EA has announced that EA SPORTS™ UFC® 6 will officially launch on June 19, 2026, for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, marking a significant innovation and development in the fighting game sector.
- Technological Advancements: The new game utilizes Markerless Capture and Sapien technology to make athletes' movements and reactions more realistic, enhancing the game's authenticity and individuality, which is expected to attract more fighting game enthusiasts.
- Cover Athletes: Former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and former featherweight champion Max Holloway grace the covers of the Standard and Ultimate Editions, showcasing each athlete's unique style and personality, thereby enhancing player immersion.
- Pre-order Bonuses: Players who pre-order the Ultimate Edition will receive 7-day early access and various unique fighter skins, which is expected to drive sales growth and enhance player engagement and loyalty.
See More
Analysis of Upcoming U.S. Jobs Report Outlook
- Job Market Expectations: According to FactSet consensus estimates, the U.S. is expected to add only 50,000 jobs in April, significantly lower than March's 178,000, indicating signs of economic slowdown that could impact investor confidence.
- Unemployment Rate Stability: The unemployment rate is anticipated to remain steady at 4.3%, suggesting that despite the decrease in job additions, the labor market remains relatively stable, potentially alleviating fears of an economic downturn.
- GDP Growth Situation: The U.S. GDP grew at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 2% in the first quarter, higher than the fourth quarter's 0.5% but below the 2.2% estimate, reflecting economic sluggishness that may influence future monetary policy decisions.
- Market Volatility: Despite a strong performance in April, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hitting record highs, investors should remain cautious of the upcoming
See More
