UFC to Host Event on White House South Lawn on June 14

The UFC Freedom 250 event is scheduled for June 14, 2026 on the White House South Lawn. The date coincides with President Donald Trump’s birthday. The South Lawn has been flattened to install a 5,000-seat arena and a structure called The Claw.

The UFC will pay a $700,000 repair bill to restore the grass after the event. The promotion is spending $60 million on the card overall. TKO Group and the UFC expect to absorb a $30 million loss. Mark Shapiro, president of the TKO Group, stated that the companies are not seeking a profit from the event.

Dana White said the UFC plans to offset nearly half of the projected losses through partnerships and sponsorships. White added that he is not concerned about the $700,000 repair cost. White’s main priority is that the event runs without technical problems.

To oversee construction and will stay until June 15, 2026. White told The Pat McAfee Show that Borsari is living in the city until the project is finished. The Claw is a dome-and-arch lighting grid.

White said the setup will allow cameras to show the full White House behind the fights and the Washington Monument when facing the opposite direction. Tickets are being offered to United States service members. 55 to qualify, according to Pentagon guidance memos reviewed by CNN.