Is UFC coming to the White House? President Trump shares shocking idea to celebrate America 250
President Donald Trump shared an idea Thursday to hold a UFC event on the grounds of the White House in 2026, aiming to host between 20,000 and 25,000 people.
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Under Trump, who has made his passion for UFC known in the past and has often appeared cageside at premiere fights, the event would be part of a series of events in celebration of "America 250."
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Here's what to know about the potential UFC event at the White House in 2026.
Is UFC coming to the White House?
While more official steps will have to be taken to coordinate the event, President Trump indicated Thursday that alongside UFC president Dana White, plans could be discussed to stage a UFC match at the White House in 2026.
"We're going to have a UFC fight, think of this, on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there," Trump said in Iowa on Thursday. "Championship fight, full fight, like 20-25,000 people, and we're gonna do that as part of [America] 250."
The event in Iowa on Thursday was to kick off a year of celebrations for America's 250th birthday as a country, which would also be the reasoning behind the potential UFC fight at the White House.
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Trump also announced a festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and a separate athletic competition that would feature high school athletes from across the country.
Per ESPN, a White House spokesperson said they had "no details to share" beyond Trump's UFC announcement, but press secretary Karoline Leavitt later said Trump was "dead serious" about the plan for a match at the White House.
Dana White also reposted a clip of Trump's announcement on his Instagram, appearing to confirm the plans. A known friend of White and UFC supporter, Trump has appeared at various matches in recent months, and his fandom of the organization dates back years.
MORE:Former UFC fighter Ben Askren receives life-saving double lung transplant
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What is America 250?
America 250 is the national celebration of the United States' 250th year of existence, culminating on July 4, 2026.
While more festivities and celebrations are set to commence closer to the Fourth of July in 2026, the initiative is also focused on celebrating throughout 2025 and the year leading up to the 250th anniversary.
As the official White House page puts it, America 250 "invites citizens to have a renewed love of American history, experience the beauty of our country and ignite a spirit of adventure and innovation that will raise our nation to new heights over the next 250 years."
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MORE:Results and highlights from UFC 317
Social media reactions
Here are two reactions to Trump's UFC-White House announcement on Thursday from fighters who said they'd want to participate: Terrance McKinney and Conor McGregor.
President Donald Trump-UFC history
Trump has been cageside for plenty of UFC events in the past. In November, not long after he won the election, he attended UFC 309.
In both June 2024 and June 2025, Trump also attended UFC events in Newark.
In April, Trump became the first sitting president to attend a UFC event, doing a "walk out" upon his arrival.
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