UFC White House

Last updated
UFC White House
Promotion Ultimate Fighting Championship
DateJune 14, 2026 (2026-06-14)
Venue White House
City Washington, D.C., United States
Event chronology
UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Kape UFC White House

UFC White House is an upcoming mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that will take place on June 14, 2026, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., United States. [1] [2]

Contents

Background

Origins and event-planning

The South Lawn of the White House will host the first professional sporting event ever staged at the presidential residence. 2020 Fall Garden Tours (50506093376).jpg
The South Lawn of the White House will host the first professional sporting event ever staged at the presidential residence.

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, the UFC plans to hold a historic mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn of the White House in June 2026. [1] While initial reports suggested a July 4th date, the event was later rescheduled for June due to logistical reasons. [4] The weigh-ins are expected to take place at the Lincoln Memorial. [2] The event will represent the promotion's third visit to Washington, D.C., and first since UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik in December 2019. [5]

The event was first announced by President Donald Trump on July 3, 2025, during a rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds: [6]

Does anybody watch UFC? The great Dana White. We’re going to have a UFC fight on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there. Dana’s going to do it. Dana’s great, one of a kind. We’re going to have a UFC fight, a championship fight, like full fight, 20, 25,000 people and we’re going to do that as part of 250 also.

— Donald Trump

On August 29, 2025, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed via social media that plans for the event had been finalized, stating, "We had the meeting at the White House... The White House fight is on." [7] The announcement followed President Trump's remarks at the rally, where he referenced his long-standing friendship with White. Trump has frequently attended UFC events in recent years, including UFC 316 in New Jersey, where several fighters greeted him cageside. [6]

In an interview on September 11, 2025, White stated that the seating capacity for the event would be under 5,000 people, citing security concerns. This marked a significant revision from President Trump's earlier estimate of 20,000 to 25,000 attendees. White also mentioned plans to set up large screens at a nearby park capable of hosting up to 85,000 spectators for a public viewing experience. [8] The promotion is also expected to spend $700,000 replacing the White House's lawn after the event. [9]

During a speech at Naval Station Norfolk on October 6, President Trump announced that the event would take place on June 14, 2026, coinciding with his 80th birthday. [10]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Shakiel Mahjouri (2025-08-29). "UFC CEO Dana White confirms event at White House is on after meeting with Trump administration". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
  2. 1 2 Elizabeth Crisp (2025-09-05). "White House UFC event set for June, weigh-ins at Lincoln Memorial". thehill.com. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
  3. ↑ Mike Heck (2025-08-29). "Dana White: UFC White House event 'is on'". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
  4. ↑ Ryan Morik (2025-09-05). "UFC White House plans revealed, including weigh-ins at Lincoln Memorial: report". foxnews.com. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
  5. ↑ Adam Wells (2025-07-18). "Dana White Says 'Badass' UFC White House Event Will be 'a 1-of-1 Experience' in Video". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
  6. 1 2 Damon Martin (2025-07-04). "President Trump reveals plans to hold a UFC event at the White House in 2026". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
  7. ↑ Jack Baer (2025-08-31). "UFC CEO Dana White says White House card is officially happening after meeting with Trump administration". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
  8. ↑ Shakiel Mahjouri (2025-09-11). "UFC CEO Dana White capacity will be limited for event at White House, but has plans for fans to attend nearby". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  9. ↑ Jed Meshew (2025-10-02). "UFC will spend $700,000 replacing White House lawn". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  10. ↑ Staff (2025-10-06). "President Trump reveals UFC White House event will happen on his 80th birthday". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
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