MMA
UFC White House – Date and Plans
On June 14th 2026, The White House will play host to a UFC event on the South Lawn to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The UFC has visited the US capital on two occasions, with the last event in Washington, D.C taking place back in December of 2019.
President Donald Trump announced the event during a rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds earlier this year on July 3rd, declaring that good friend and CEO of the UFC Dana White will be taking care of proceedings.
Plans for UFC White House
Dana White confirmed the event in late August via social media following Trump’s remarks at the rally. Although Trump mentioned that there would be 20,000–25,000 in attendance, White later commented that there would be a localised capacity of just 5,000 people due to security concerns that come with larger crowds.
That said, there are plans to set up large viewing screens in nearby parks, where up to 85,000 spectators can enjoy the action live from the capital. The event will also be broadcast globally on ESPN+, BT Sport and UFC Fight Pass, ensuring millions around the world can witness this historic spectacle.
This will undoubtedly be a massive fixture in the 2026 calendar for the UFC, particularly given Trump has decided for the event to coincide with his 80th birthday.
The symbolic timing, tied to the Semiquincentennial celebrations, makes this one of the most anticipated and high-profile sporting events in recent memory.
Potential Fight Card and Rumours
While the full card is yet to be confirmed, rumours are already circulating about some of the names being considered. Sources close to the UFC have hinted that Jon Jones, Israel Adesanya, and Sean O’Malley could all feature, with talk of a superfight headliner to crown the occasion. Even Conor McGregor has declared interest in fighting at the event.
Another strong possibility is a women’s title bout, with Alexa Grasso or Zhang Weili potentially defending their belts on the South Lawn. The symbolism of hosting world champions from different nations in front of one of the most recognisable buildings on Earth would be a fitting nod to both the international appeal of the UFC and the unity theme of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
White has also suggested that the event will include special pre-fight ceremonies, with military honours, live performances, and appearances from former champions and American sporting icons. The UFC president described it as “a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of sport, patriotism, and history.”
What This Means for the UFC
Hosting an event at the White House marks an extraordinary moment in UFC history. From humble beginnings in the early 1990s to holding a card on the South Lawn of one of the world’s most powerful landmarks, it demonstrates just how far the sport has come.
The timing is also significant for the promotion. With 2026 set to feature major sporting moments across the United States, including the FIFA World Cup and America250 celebrations, the UFC White House event is expected to cement mixed martial arts as a central part of the American sports landscape.
Whether you’re tuning in from home or among the lucky few to witness it in person, UFC White House promises to be a defining moment for both the sport and the nation.
