UFC’s planned White House event faces financial restrictions
The UFC’s ambitious plans for a landmark event at the White House on June 14 have encountered significant obstacles due to strict venue regulations, reports BritPanorama.
The organisation will be prohibited from broadcasting the card on pay-per-view, collecting gate revenue, or featuring sponsors. MMA journalist Ariel Helwani confirmed this, stating, “There will be no pay-per-view. There will be no gate. And what I’m hearing is that there will be no sponsors as well.”
These restrictions prevent sponsors from displaying logos on the cage, thereby eliminating traditional revenue streams that are crucial for such high-profile events. UFC president Dana White noted that the organisation is covering the entire event’s costs without taxpayer money, telling Sports Business Journal: “No, we’re eating the whole thing.”
The event, scheduled to coincide with Flag Day and President Trump’s birthday, will also mark America’s 250th year of independence. Approximately 4,000 elite guests, including notable figures such as Elon Musk, are expected to attend the South Lawn gathering, though security measures have significantly restricted public access.
President Trump and White have indicated a desire to include military personnel on the guest list, given the event’s significance. Ordinary fans will have the opportunity to watch proceedings on large screens set up at The Ellipse park, located in front of the White House. The President has also claimed that the night will feature an unprecedented number of title bouts, although the VIP-only nature of the event could limit its appeal, particularly for fighters like Conor McGregor.
Keeping McGregor away from such a setting serves a strategic purpose. Helwani explained the reasoning behind this decision: “They didn’t want to have him at the Apex in front of no one. Therefore, you can see why he avoided fighting in empty arenas.” Speculations suggest a possible timeline for McGregor’s return, with a pay-per-view event scheduled for July.
McGregor has been absent from the octagon since suffering a broken left leg during a match against Dustin Poirier nearly five years ago. His suspension for anti-doping violations further complicates his return to competition.
As the UFC navigates these challenges, the landscape remains dynamic, underscoring how sport and politics often intersect in unexpected ways.
