Trump’s Bringing UFC to the White House in 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump has consistently attended UFC events, most recently being present at UFC 316 in New Jersey in June. He now aims to host a UFC event on the White House lawn. 

UFC at the White House Lawn 

Trump informed a gathering at the Iowa State Fairgrounds yesterday that the occasion will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, and he anticipates 25,000 attendees at the event.

"Does anybody watch UFC? The great Dana White? We’re gonna have a UFC fight, think of this, on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there,” he said. “We’re not going to build a little, we’re not, Dana is going to do it, a UFC fight, championship fight, full fight. We’re going to have some incredible events, some professional events, some amateur events. But the UFC fight is going to be a big deal.”

Trump Claims to Anticipate as Many as 25,000 

The UFC would build an octagon on the grounds of the White House. Trump shares a close bond with UFC CEO White, who consistently attends UFC live events alongside the President. White addressed the Republican Convention last summer in favor of Trump. 

Trump joined TikTok in June 2024, amassing millions of followers soon after launching his account, with White alongside him at UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey, where the announcement was made. 

“The president is now on TikTok,” White said. Trump responded: “It’s my honor.”

UFC CEO is a Major Backer of Trump 

A spokesperson for UFC informed Variety that preparations are underway, and information will be revealed soon. 

“It’s going to be EPIC!” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X.

The UFC has not released an official statement confirming the event yet. 

At UFC 316, Trump entered to a deafening cheer, preceding White, a lineup featuring Merab Dvalishvili in a bantamweight title fight against Sean O’Malley (Dvalishvili emerged victorious) and a women’s bantamweight title match between Julianna Pena and Kayla Harrison. Harrison claimed victory in the match by submission, then entered the crowd to greet Trump with a handshake and drape the belt over him. 

Clearly, it’s premature to predict, and it’s challenging to assess, but a live UFC event at the White House showcasing elite UFC matches would enhance betting. 

“Personally, with the variables involved, such as Donald Trump, outside set up and most crucially, bouts likely to be PPV level, then surely we would expect above average business,” said Mark Collier, a trader with BetVictor.