UFC Freedom 250 (also known as UFC White House and UFC at the White House) was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It took place on June 14, 2026, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., United States. The eventโs name is a reference to the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence on the following July 4th, 20 days later.
๐ Event Announcement and Date
The event was first announced by President Donald Trump on July 3, 2025, during a rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. On August 29, 2025, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that plans for the event had been finalized. While initial reports suggested a 4th of July date, the event was officially rescheduled for June due to logistical reasons.
During a speech at Naval Station Norfolk on October 6, 2025, Trump announced that it would take place on June 14, 2026, coinciding with his 80th birthday and the Flag Day holiday. The rescheduled date drew criticism over its occurrence on Trumpโs birthday three weeks before July 4.
๐๏ธ Venue and Attendance
The event represented the UFCโs third visit to Washington, D.C., and first since UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik in 2019. The weigh-ins took place at the Lincoln Memorial. In a September 2025 interview, White said the seating capacity would be under 5,000 due to security concerns.
In a February 2026 interview, TKO Group Holdings CEO Ari Emanuel stated that there would be 3,000 to 4,000 people in attendance. White revealed in May that the capacity was expected to be 4,300. He also mentioned plans to install large screens at The Ellipse capable of hosting up to 85,000 spectators for a public viewing experience.
๐๏ธ Ticketing and Security
Further reporting described the South Lawn audience as an invite-only crowd. Time reported that at least 1,200 of the approximately 4,300 seats would be allocated to active military members. The remaining seats would be divided among the White House, TKO Group Holdings and the UFC.
Department of Homeland Security officials told TMZ that the event would feature Level 1 Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) security measures. The fan fest event, scheduled for June 13, was also stated to feature SEAR 1 level security.
๐ฐ Costs and Sponsorships
The promotion is expected to cover the full cost of the event, including roughly $700,000 to restore the South Lawn after use. No public tickets will be made available. In January 2026, it was reported that no taxpayer funding is being sought, and the overall expense of the event is projected to exceed the $21 million budget required to stage UFC 306โs Sphere show.
In February 2026, it was estimated the cost rose to $60 million. TKO president Mark Shapiro stated that the event is not expected to turn a profit, with the goal being to recoup approximately half of the total cost through sponsors and new partnerships.
โ๏ธ Regulation and Fights
Marc Ratner, the UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, revealed that because the White House grounds are federal property, the District of Columbia Combat Sports Commission would not regulate the event. The UFC was then expected to selfโregulate. On March 16, the District of Columbia Combat Sports Commission announced that outcomes of the fights could not be recognized on the athletesโ official records.
A UFC Lightweight Championship title unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje headlined the event. An interim UFC Heavyweight Championship bout between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane served as the co-main event.
| Category | Detail | Date/Value | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Event Name | UFC Freedom 250 | June 14, 2026 | Text |
| Location | South Lawn, White House | Washington, D.C. | Text |
| Announced By | President Donald Trump | July 3, 2025 | Text |
| Seating Capacity | 4,300 (South Lawn) | May 2026 | Text |
| Public Viewing | 85,000 at The Ellipse | Free tickets | Text |
| Broadcast | Paramount+ | June 14, 2026 | Text |
| Main Event | Topuria vs. Gaethje (Lightweight) | Title unification | Text |
| Co-Main Event | Pereira vs. Gane (Interim Heavyweight) | Interim title bout | Text |
| Cost Estimate | $60 million | February 2026 | Text |
| Regulation | Self-regulated by UFC | No DC commission | Text |
| Security Level | SEAR 1 | Both event and fan fest | Text |
| Military Allocation | At least 1,200 seats | Active military members | Text |
| Sponsorship Package | $1.5 million (reported) | Partner investment deck | Text |
| Lawn Restoration | ~$700,000 | Covered by UFC | Text |
| Fan Fest Headliner | Zac Brown Band | June 13, 2026 | Text |
| Start Time | 8 p.m. | To avoid direct sunlight | Text |