UFC Plans $60M White House Event
The UFC is planning an unprecedented event at the White House with a $60 million budget, organized by TKO Group Holdings and marking the first time the promotion will stage fights on White House grounds. UFC President Dana White's support for President Trump's 2024 campaign is noted as a key factor enabling this historic spectacle. Details about the fight card, participating athletes, and public access remain undisclosed.
The event is scheduled for June 14, 2026, on the South Lawn of the White House, a date that coincides with both Flag Day and Donald Trump's 80th birthday. This will be the first-ever professional sporting event staged at the presidential residence, with initial plans for a July 4th event being rescheduled for logistical reasons. The $60 million production will not be profitable, according to TKO president Mark Shapiro, who views it as a long-term strategic investment. The promotion aims to recoup about half of the cost through sponsorships and partnerships, and the budget includes an estimated $700,000 to restore the South Lawn after the event. No public tickets will be made available for the fights. Attendance on the South Lawn is expected to be limited to 3,000-5,000 spectators due to security concerns, though UFC President Dana White has proposed setting up large screens for up to 85,000 fans at the nearby Ellipse park. The historical connection between Dana White and Donald Trump dates back to 2001, when Trump's Taj Mahal in Atlantic City hosted UFC events at a time when many other venues would not. White has been a vocal supporter of Trump, speaking at Republican National Conventions and donating to his campaigns. While championship teams from various sports have visited the White House for ceremonies since 1865, staging a live professional combat event is without precedent. Past athletic activities on the grounds have been recreational, such as a putting green installed by Dwight Eisenhower and a basketball court used by Barack Obama. The fight card is expected to feature six or seven bouts, with fighters walking from the Oval Office to the octagon. Though no matchups are confirmed, many of the UFC's biggest stars have publicly lobbied to be included on the historic card. Viewers will be able to watch the main card on the Paramount+ streaming service, with some preliminary fights potentially airing on CBS. This event will be a major broadcast for TKO Group Holdings, which signed a $7.7 billion media rights deal with Paramount that began in 2026.
