The UFC’s planned event at the White House is not shaping up to be merely a standard UFC event set in a unique location.
It is expected to be a one-off spectacle, and Ari Emanuel, the CEO of TKO Group Holdings Inc., which owns the UFC, teased some details during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.
Most UFC cards typically feature anywhere from 12 to 14 bouts; however, the White House card is expected to only have roughly half as many.
UFC president Dana White recently told Sportsnet at UFC 324 that he had planned on focusing on putting together the White House card fight lineup beginning in late January.
No fights have been officially announced yet, but Emanuel confirmed the work is underway behind the scenes.
“At the White House, I think it’s 3,000-4,000 (spectators in attendance on or near the south lawn), and then there will be other areas (nearby where people can watch the event), and Dana’s working on it right now,” Emanuel told McAfee. “There’s going to be approximately six to seven fights, June 14. (White) hasn’t said to us what the card is going to be, but I know they’re working pretty hard at it right now.”
U.S. President Donald Trump initially proposed the idea of the White House hosting a UFC event to commemorate the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence during a speech he was giving on July 4 last year.
While the initial tentative target date was going to be July 4, 2026, the new expected date for the event is June 14, which happens to be Flag Day in the U.S., as well as Trump’s upcoming 80th birthday.
When asked by Sportsnet about expectations for the White House card compared to past blockbuster events such as 2024’s UFC 300 or UFC 306 at the Sphere, White said: “I think this is going to be the biggest event ever done. By a long shot.”
Droves of fighters have been campaigning in recent months for a spot on the White House card, including past champions Conor McGregor and Jon Jones, present titleholders Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria, plus countless other stars from the UFC roster.
“I don’t know who is not watching that (event),” Emanuel added.
