UFC to Host First-Ever White House Fight on July 4, 2026
Updated on
Published on
Key Takeaways:
- UFC CEO Dana White confirms the first professional MMA event at the White House
- Scheduled for July 4, 2026, coinciding with America’s 250th birthday
- Event discussed directly with President Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump
- No fighters announced yet; venue renderings in progress
- Tied to a new $1.1B annual streaming deal with Paramount
In a historic announcement, UFC CEO Dana White revealed that the promotion will stage its first-ever fight at the White House on July 4, 2026. The event will mark America’s 250th birthday and will be the first professional mixed martial arts bout ever held at the presidential residence. White confirmed the news during an appearance on CBS Mornings, saying, “It is definitely going to happen.”
White shared that the idea came directly from President Donald Trump, who requested Ivanka Trump be involved in the planning. The two have since discussed possible setups, with venue renderings already in the works. While the fight card is still under wraps, the significance of the location has already made this one of the most anticipated events in UFC history.
The announcement comes alongside a major media shift for the UFC, as it finalizes a seven-year, $1.1 billion-per-year streaming deal with Paramount. The agreement will see select UFC events simulcast on CBS, placing the organization alongside other marquee sports broadcasts like the Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four. While the pay-per-view model will remain, White emphasized the growing importance of streaming platforms for live sports, calling the deal a “massive milestone” for the sport’s future.
