UFC Freedom 250 venue construction underway at White House South Lawn
Construction has commenced on a temporary arena for the June 14 event, with President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and Flag Day serving as the backdrop for the mixed martial arts spectacle.
Crews have begun erecting a temporary arena on the White House South Lawn to host UFC Freedom 250, with photos circulating on social media confirming work is underway less than three weeks before the scheduled date. The event, set for June 14, coincides with Flag Day and marks the 80th birthday of President Donald Trump. The venue is designed to seat approximately 5,000 guests, comprising military personnel and invitees from the UFC and the White House, with no tickets available for public sale.
TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of the UFC, is covering the production costs, which are estimated to exceed $60 million. TKO president Mark Shapiro acknowledged on a financial call that the final cost remains a "moving target." The promotion does not anticipate turning a profit from the event but expects to offset losses with roughly $30 million in corporate sponsorships. The venue will feature "the claw," a massive lighting and cover structure manufactured in Europe and shipped to the United States, with UFC CEO Dana White stating the vision is to keep the White House visible as the backdrop for every fight.
While the UFC is responsible for restoring the South Lawn to its original condition following the event, security expenses will be borne by taxpayers. Security operations will be coordinated between the Secret Service and local law enforcement. The event’s political context is underscored by the close relationship between White and President Trump, with White having spoken at both the 2016 and 2020 Republican National Conventions and served as a campaign surrogate.
The main card features Ilia Topuria defending his lightweight title against interim champion Justin Gaethje, while Alex Pereira faces Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title in the co-main event. Sean O’Malley is scheduled to fight Aiemann Zahabi in a bantamweight bout. Pre-fight press conferences and ceremonial weigh-ins will take place at the Lincoln Memorial, with additional spectators able to view the event on screens set up at the nearby Ellipse.
