The most historic MMA event ever staged
UFC Freedom 250, also known as the UFC White House event, is an unprecedented mixed martial arts event scheduled for June 14, 2026 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C. The event commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, and also coincides with Flag Day and President Donald Trump's 80th birthday.
President Trump first announced the concept during a rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on July 3, 2025. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the plans via social media on August 29, 2025. Trump officially announced the June 14 date during a speech at Naval Station Norfolk on October 6, 2025. The event name, UFC Freedom 250, was formally unveiled during the UFC 326 broadcast on March 7, 2026.
A temporary 4,500-seat arena is being constructed on the South Lawn of the White House and shipped from Europe. The arena will be set up so that the White House appears in the background of all broadcast coverage. An additional 50,000–100,000 spectators are expected at The Ellipse, where massive screens will display the event live.
The event carries an estimated $60 million production budget — the largest in UFC history. TKO president Mark Shapiro has stated the event is not expected to turn a profit, with goals to recoup roughly half through sponsors and new partnerships. Crypto.com is funding a $1 million cryptocurrency performance bonus as part of their 10-year anniversary.
UFC Freedom 250 will air live on Paramount+ at no additional cost to subscribers, as part of the UFC's landmark 7-year, $7.7 billion media rights deal with Paramount Skydance. Preliminary bouts will also be simulcast on CBS. This marks one of four big UFC events per year on CBS.
Because the White House grounds are federal property, the DC Combat Sports Commission initially declined to regulate the event. The UFC enlisted the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) to serve as independent third-party regulator, assembling top judges, referees, and inspectors to oversee the bouts.