The UFC is set to stage the most expensive single event in its history this summer, with TKO Group Holdings president Mark Shapiro confirming a staggering $60 million (£44.3m) budget for the upcoming White House show.
Scheduled for June 14, 2026, the event will commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. Coinciding with Flag Day and the 80th birthday of President Donald Trump, the card is being framed as a long-term investment in “earned media” rather than a traditional money-maker.
“We Will Not Profit”
In a candid disclosure, Shapiro explained that the promotion is bracing for a significant deficit. “We will not profit from the White House event independently,” Shapiro stated. “We will not be making money on America’s 250th anniversary. This is an investment for the long term.”
TKO aims to offset roughly half the costs—around $30 million—through corporate partnerships. The remaining overhead includes a $700,000 commitment just to restore the South Lawn of the White House after the Octagon is dismantled.
Oval Office Walkouts and 80,000 Fans
UFC CEO Dana White has teased a production unlike anything seen before. Key details confirmed include:
- The Walkout: Fighters will reportedly walk directly from the Oval Office to the Octagon on the South Lawn.
- The Capacity: Due to security, only 3,000 to 5,000 invited guests will be ringside.
- The Fan Zone: An estimated 80,000 fans are expected to watch via giant screens at The Ellipse park nearby.
- The Card: Matchmakers are targeting a condensed, high-impact card of 6 to 7 fights, with Trump promising “the biggest fights ever.”
While the full line-up is still under wraps, the likes of Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, and Max Holloway have all been linked to the historic night. The event will air on CBS and Paramount+ as part of the UFC’s new multi-billion dollar domestic media deal.
🥊 MMA UK POLL: THE ULTIMATE SPECTACLE?
With a budget nearly three times the size of the UFC 306 Sphere event, the pressure is on to deliver.
Is a White House fight card the pinnacle of the sport, or is $60m too much for a non-profit event?
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