President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the White House will host a UFC fight event in 2026 to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary. Speaking at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Trump told supporters that the fight card would take place on the White House grounds and could hold nearly 25,000 spectators.
Trump said the event would include both professional and amateur fights, describing the UFC fight as a “big deal.” However, details about the event’s schedule, fighters, or logistics remain unclear at this stage. Neither the UFC nor its president Dana White has officially confirmed the plans yet.
Trump has a long-standing relationship with Dana White and often attends UFC events. He has been seen at major fight cards like UFC 302, UFC 309, and UFC 314, where he sat cageside next to White during the Miami event. Their close ties were also visible when White introduced Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
If the event takes place, it would be the first time the White House grounds host a professional combat sports event of this scale. Though the White House has previously hosted concerts, athletic ceremonies, and social gatherings, no major sports fight has been held on the premises before.
The UFC fight would be part of a broader series of celebrations for America’s semiquincentennial in 2026. These celebrations are expected to include various cultural and sporting events to mark 250 years of U.S. history.
While fans await official confirmation, this announcement has already sparked excitement among both UFC followers and those interested in historic events at the White House. The event promises to be a unique and memorable way to celebrate a major national milestone.