UFC Freedom 250 contruction starts at White House South Lawn [View all]

Source: USA Today

May 25, 2026, 2:43 p.m. ET


Construction has begun at the White House ahead of UFC Freedom 250, according to photos circulating on social media. The most famous address in the United States, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, is beginning to look a lot like a fight venue.

With the June 14 fight less than three weeks away, crews have begun work on the temporary arena that will host the UFC Freedom 250, a fight card that is as much a celebration as it is a sporting event. The promotion released renderings last week showing the planned setup, including "the claw," a massive lighting and cover structure that was built in Europe and shipped to the United States specifically for the occasion. Dana White's stated vision is to keep the White House visible as the backdrop for every fight.

The venue will seat roughly 5,000 people, a mix of military members and guests invited by the UFC and the White House. No tickets are going on sale. Another 100,000 fans can watch on screens set up at the nearby Ellipse.

White says UFC and it's parent company TKO Group Holdings are picking up the tab. TKO president Mark Shapiro acknowledged on a financial call that the cost is a "moving target" expected to exceed $60 million. The promotion does not expect to turn a profit, but is counting on roughly $30 million in corporate sponsorships to offset expected losses. While the UFC is covering the restoration of the South Lawn after the event, it is not covering the cost for security, which will be significant. That will be coordinated between the Secret Service and local law enforcement at the tax payers' expense.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2026/05/25/ufc-freedom-250-construction-underway-white-house-south-lawn/90252117007/