The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will host a historic event on July 4, 2026, on the grounds of the White House, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States.
This was confirmed on Tuesday by the company's executive director, Dana White, in statements to CNN, after speaking with President Donald Trump.
White detailed that he will travel to Washington on August 28 to meet with Trump and his daughter Ivanka, with the goal of finalizing the logistics of the event, which will take place in the south garden of the presidential residence.
The president had already hinted in July at his intentions to host the fight in front of more than 20,000 spectators as part of the national celebrations.
“Without a doubt, it will happen,” White assured the Agency EFE, noting that the idea came directly from the president.
"When he called me and asked me to do it, he said, 'I want Ivanka in the middle of this.' So Ivanka contacted me and we started discussing the possibilities, where she would be, and I prepared all the arrangements," the agency emphasized.
The event will mark the first time a professional mixed martial arts fight is held at the White House.
According to White, it will be "a unique event" both for its symbolism and for the scale of the lineup they expect to put together, although the names of the participating fighters have not yet been announced.
The announcement comes just one day after the UFC reached a multimillion-dollar deal with Paramount to exclusively broadcast its fights in the United States starting in 2026.
According to figures provided by CNN, the contract — lasting seven years and valued at an average of 1.1 billion dollars annually — ends the dominance of the pay-per-view model and will shift all content to the streaming platform Paramount+, with some numbered events broadcast simultaneously on CBS.
White described this contract as "one of the biggest milestones" of his career and in the history of the UFC, according to CBS News.
The executive also stated that, although pay-per-view will continue to exist, the goal is to expand the global audience and simplify access for fans.
"Live sports must be watched live. You have to tune in. It's a must-see," he stated.
The relationship between Trump and White is longstanding. The president has attended several UFC events in recent years, including one in New Jersey last June, noted EFE.
White, for its part, has publicly supported the president and invited him to key company events.
Although there are still months to go until July 4, 2026, the UFC CEO is confident that the event at the White House will become a historic moment for both the sport and the celebrations of American independence.
“Let's go for it all,” White told CNN, emphasizing that the UFC aims not only to solidify its position as the largest mixed martial arts promoter in the world but also to compete for a spot at the top of all sports.
The announcement really does not surprise anyone. Trump, a confessed lover of combat sports, stated last April that the warm welcome he received during the UFC 314 event at the Kaseya Center in Miami is a sign that his administration “is doing a good job”.
Trump, who attended the mixed martial arts event accompanied by several members of his cabinet and his granddaughter, Kai Trump, spoke with the press aboard Air Force One after the sporting evening.
Frequently Asked Questions about the UFC event at the White House
When will the UFC event take place at the White House?
The UFC event at the White House will take place on July 4, 2026, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States. This event will be broadcast live on CBS and will be held in the south lawn of the presidential residence. UFC's CEO, Dana White, emphasized the symbolic significance and the scale of the card they expect to present.
Why was the White House chosen for a UFC event?
The idea of hosting the UFC event at the White House came directly from President Donald Trump, who reached out to Dana White to propose it as part of the patriotic celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the United States' independence. Trump has a long-standing relationship with the UFC and has attended several events in the past, reflecting his interest in linking the sport with acts of national significance.
What impact will the UFC event at the White House have on the broadcasting of sports events?
The UFC event at the White House will mark a significant change in the broadcasting of sports events in the United States. With a new multimillion-dollar contract with Paramount, all UFC fights will be streamed exclusively on the Paramount+ platform, and some numbered events will air simultaneously on CBS. This agreement aims to expand the global audience and make sports events more accessible to fans.
What is the relationship between Donald Trump and the UFC?
Donald Trump maintains a close relationship with the UFC and its CEO, Dana White. Trump has attended several UFC events and has been cheered at them, which he interprets as support for his administration. This relationship has been nurtured over the years, with Dana White publicly backing Trump on several occasions, reflecting a connection between sports and politics in the United States.
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