Finding out where to watch WWE NXT used to be a breeze. You just turned on the USA Network on Tuesday nights, or maybe you waited a day for the replay to hit the WWE Network or Peacock. Honestly, those days are long gone. The wrestling landscape has shifted so much lately that you basically need a treasure map and three different logins just to see a standard Heritage Cup match.
If you’re sitting there in early 2026 wondering why your usual app isn't showing the latest from the Performance Center, don't sweat it. The "developmental" brand—which hasn't really felt like developmental for a long time—is currently split across a few different platforms depending on whether you want to watch live or catch up on what happened while you were sleeping.
The CW is the New Home for Tuesday Nights
Let’s get the big one out of the way first. Since late 2024, The CW has been the exclusive broadcast home for WWE NXT in the United States. If you’ve got a digital antenna, you can actually watch this for free. That’s a bit of a throwback, right? Just scan for local channels and find your CW affiliate.
If you’re more of a cord-cutter, you can find The CW on most major live TV streaming services. I’m talking about Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, YouTube TV, and DirecTV Stream.
One thing that’s kinda cool about the 2026 season is that NXT has been hitting the road way more often. While the Performance Center in Orlando is still the home base, they’ve been running shows in places like Nashville and Atlanta for the TV tapings. Seeing the "white and gold" brand in front of 3,000 screaming fans in a different city makes it feel much more like a third brand and less like a training school.
Where Can I Watch WWE NXT if I Missed the Live Show?
This is where it gets slightly confusing because of the massive shakeup with Netflix and ESPN.
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If you miss the Tuesday night broadcast on The CW, you aren't going to find it on Peacock immediately. Since the deal between WWE and NBCUniversal (Peacock's parent company) started winding down at the end of 2025, the way we consume the archives has changed.
- The CW App: You can usually stream the latest episodes for free on The CW app the day after they air. It has ads, obviously, but it’s the most direct way to keep up without a cable sub.
- Netflix: Now, if you are outside the United States—say, in the UK, Canada, or India—Netflix is your one-stop shop. Following the landmark $5 billion deal, Netflix became the primary home for Raw, SmackDown, and NXT in most international markets starting in 2025.
- Hulu: Interestingly, Hulu still keeps some of the next-day rights for various WWE shows in the U.S. for now, but that's been a moving target lately.
What About the NXT Premium Live Events (PLEs)?
The "TakeOver" era might be in the rearview mirror, but the big events like Stand & Deliver or Vengeance Day are still the highlight of the calendar. In 2026, the game has changed completely for U.S. viewers.
ESPN is now the exclusive domestic home for all WWE Premium Live Events.
This started in January 2026. If you want to watch an NXT PLE, you’re looking at using the ESPN App or their direct-to-consumer streaming service (often referred to as ESPN Unlimited or part of the Disney+ bundle). It was a huge move that saw WWE leave Peacock after a five-year run.
- USA Viewers: Use the ESPN App/Service for PLEs.
- International Viewers: Use Netflix.
The Netflix Library Shift
You might have noticed that a lot of the old black-and-gold era stuff—those legendary Ciampa vs. Gargano matches or the early days of the Four Horsewomen—has started migrating. As of early 2026, the massive WWE video library that lived on Peacock has mostly moved over to Netflix in the U.S.
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So, if you want to binge-watch NXT from 2014, Netflix is actually where you’ll find that archive now. It’s a bit weird having the "new" weekly show on The CW and the "old" library on Netflix, but that's the modern streaming wars for you.
Common Misconceptions About Watching NXT
A lot of people still think you need the old WWE Network app. If you're in the U.S., that app has basically been a ghost town for years. Another mistake is checking USA Network. They had a great run with the brand, but they’ve moved on to focus on other programming (and they even brought SmackDown back for a bit before the recent shifts).
Also, don't assume every "special" episode is a PLE. Things like New Year’s Evil or Halloween Havoc are often just themed episodes of the weekly show. Those will be on The CW, not ESPN. Only the big Saturday night stadium or arena shows have made the jump to the ESPN platform.
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A Quick Cheat Sheet for 2026
- Live on Tuesdays (8 PM ET): The CW (Antenna or Live TV Streamers).
- Next-Day Replay (U.S.): The CW App or Hulu.
- Big Events (PLEs): ESPN (U.S.) or Netflix (Global).
- Historical Archive: Netflix.
- International Fans: Just use Netflix for everything. It's much simpler for you guys.
The brand has seen a lot of turnover lately. With stars like Sol Ruca, Tony D'Angelo, and Oba Femi leading the charge, the show has a completely different energy than it did even two years ago. The production value on The CW has been surprisingly high, and the increased road schedule has given the talent a chance to work in front of much larger, more diverse crowds.
If you're trying to stay current, the best move is to download The CW app on your Roku or Fire Stick. It’s free, it’s legal, and it’s the easiest way to make sure you don't miss the next big superstar before they head to Raw or SmackDown.
Your NXT Viewing Action Plan
To get the most out of your NXT experience right now, start by checking your local listings for The CW to see if you can pull it in with an antenna—it's the highest quality picture you'll get without a cable delay. If you're a hardcore fan who never wants to miss a "Big Five" weekend, ensure your ESPN subscription is linked to your Disney+ account, as the new interface often bundles these together for a slightly better price. For those primarily interested in the history of the brand, start migrating your "must-watch" lists over to Netflix, as the metadata and search functions there are significantly better than what we had to deal with on previous platforms.