Anticipation Grows for UFC Celebration at the White House
April Melton, chairman of Iowa’s Black Hawk County Republican Party, frequently attends events in Washington, D.C. However, she is particularly eager about the upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) celebration set for next month on the South Lawn of the White House.
As she awaited Vice President J.D. Vance at a midterm election rally in Des Moines, Melton expressed her enthusiasm, asking, “How do I get tickets? Can you buy me a ticket? I want to go!” Her excitement resonates with the mixed martial arts community, many of whom proudly support President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement.
The president has generated significant buzz for the event, which conveniently aligns with his 80th birthday on June 14 and the month-long 250th anniversary celebrations. Despite the limited availability of tickets, demand has surged. Trump has personally selected the fortunate attendees among the 4,000-plus crowd, picking individuals based on their acumen, loyalty, or wealth.
Inquiries regarding sponsorship were referred to the UFC, which confirmed that tickets are not being sold but remained tight-lipped about the allocation of sponsorship funds. Mark Shapiro, president and COO of TKO Holdings, the UFC’s parent company, stated during a May earnings call that the organization anticipates losing up to $30 million from the D.C. event and its associated activities.
Nonetheless, enthusiasm for UFC remains unyielding, and the appetite for premium access to the South Lawn event continues to grow. UFC president and CEO Dana White characterized the situation as “crazy” and “insane,” emphasizing that although he possesses a few tickets, most were allocated to Trump. White jokingly stated, “I keep telling people I don’t have a ticket.”
According to White, that limited number equates to 200 seats, while the remaining are under the control of TKO Holdings, led by Democratic superagent Ari Emanuel. White House communications director Stephen Chan noted that the majority of tickets are being distributed to military personnel, notable VIPs, and Trump’s administration staff, including friends and congressional members.
Chung indicated that the White House is inundated with ticket requests, stating, “Every day, we get several phone calls, texts, emails.” Former UFC spokesperson Zhang, whose West Wing office features replicas of championship belts and memorabilia, is cataloging ticket requests. The UFC is currently constructing an outdoor octagonal fighting ring for the festivities. Trump even showcased a rendering of the arena during an Oval Office visit.
Alongside the main event, plans are in place for up to 85,000 attendees to watch the festivities on large screens from the Ellipse, a lawn adjacent to the White House. Paramount+ is also set to livestream the event to its subscribers across the nation, ensuring that the excitement surrounding this unprecedented celebration continues to spread.
