Dana White Confirms UFC Will Cover Full Cost of White House Card Without Taxpayer Funds
UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the organization will cover the full cost of its June White House event without seeking taxpayer funds, addressing concerns about the financial responsibility for what is expected to be the most expensive production in UFC history.
Dana White: UFC Footing Bill for White House Card, No Taxpayer Money Involved
In an interview with Sports Business Journal, White responded to questions about whether taxpayer money would help offset the ballooning costs of the South Lawn card scheduled for June 14, 2026. “No, we’re eating the whole thing,” White said, clarifying that UFC will shoulder the entire financial burden. The date coincides with Flag Day, President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, and celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence.
White indicated the White House production will far exceed the $20 million UFC spent on its September 2024 card at the Las Vegas Sphere, describing the previous event’s cost as pocket change in comparison. “What the Sphere cost is like chump change compared to what this is going to cost,” White told TNT Sports. The Sphere event, which featured movie-grade animations produced with Hollywood producers and animators, had already been the most expensive in UFC history.
The UFC previously disclosed a $700,000 fee just to replace the South Lawn grass after the event. White explained that the production challenges include working with the South Lawn’s natural slope, Secret Service security protocols, and his vision for a minimalist visual setup. “I don’t want a traditional lighting grid, I don’t want to see screens, I don’t want to see lights. The only thing I want to see is the White House in the backdrop and the Washington Monument on the other side,” White explained.
Craig Borsari, UFC Chief Content Officer and Executive Producer, has been overseeing the technical planning. White said Borsari’s team recently presented him with video renderings showing the exact setup for both the White House and fan viewing areas. The production team has created 3D models of the South Lawn, including sunlight tracking and weather pattern mapping, to ensure visual consistency throughout the broadcast.
The event will accommodate approximately 5,000 people on the South Lawn with direct views of the octagon, while an additional 80,000 to 85,000 fans can watch from The Ellipse, a nearby park. The Ellipse setup will feature large LED screens, a main stage for live music, and various fan experiences throughout the day. White compared the week-long celebration to International Fight Week in Las Vegas, promising press conferences, fighter signings, and fan interactions across Washington D.C..
No tickets will be sold to the general public for either location. The 5,000 South Lawn attendees are expected to be elite guests, with security measures restricting broader public access. White mentioned that fighters will walk from the Oval Office to the octagon for their entrances.
The UFC has not yet announced the fight card, though White previously stated it would feature the organization’s biggest stars and potentially multiple championship bouts. The event is planned to air on CBS, following UFC’s $7.7 billion media rights deal with Paramount that took effect in 2026.
White House restrictions will prevent sponsors from displaying logos on the cage, eliminating traditional revenue streams for UFC. Despite the financial constraints, White has characterized the event as a “historic one-of-one fight” that represents the most substantial logistical challenge his organization has faced.
