During a rally in Iowa on Thursday, former President Donald Trump revealed his vision for a historic sporting event: hosting a UFC competition on the expansive grounds of the White House sometime in 2026. This proposal is part of his broader plans to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Addressing his supporters, Trump gauged interest in the UFC, asking, “Does anybody watch UFC?” He then spoke about his close relationship with UFC CEO Dana White, stating, “The great Dana White. We’re going to have a UFC fight on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there.” He envisioned a significant championship fight, potentially attracting 20 to 25 thousand attendees. He added, “We’re going to have some incredible events… but the UFC fight’s going to be a big deal, too,” positioning it as a highlight of the 250th-anniversary festivities.
Trump and Dana White share a well-documented friendship. White has publicly supported Trump on multiple occasions, including speaking engagements at the Republican National Convention and campaigning appearances leading up to the 2020 election.
Trump is a frequent presence at many UFC events, often seated cageside. A recent example was UFC 316 in New Jersey, where several fighters were seen approaching him after their bouts.
While Washington D.C. has hosted UFC events before, a major sporting event specifically *on* the White House grounds would represent an unprecedented occurrence. The logistics of such an event remain unclear, though the promotion did share the clip of Trump`s announcement on their Instagram account.
Beyond the potential UFC event, Trump outlined other ideas for the “American 250” celebration, such as the “Patriot Games,” a proposed multi-sport competition for youth athletes representing all 50 states.
This announcement from Trump potentially adds another intriguing element for the UFC as it navigates crucial negotiations for a new broadcast rights agreement set to begin in 2026. Showcasing the sport with a first-of-its-kind event at the White House could serve as a significant bargaining chip or a unique opportunity, especially as reports suggest the UFC is seeking around $1 billion annually from the new deal.
