Dana White confirms that UFC will cover the entire cost of the White House Card without taxpayer money

UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the promotion will cover the entire cost of June’s White House event without seeking taxpayer money, easing concerns about financial responsibility for what is expected to be the most expensive production in UFC history.

Dana White: UFC bill for the White House card, without taxpayer money

In an interview with Sports business magazineWhite responded to questions about whether taxpayer money would help offset the rising costs of the South Lawn map, scheduled for June 14, 2026. The date coincides with Flag Day, President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence.

White gave the The White House production will easily exceed the $20 million UFC spent on the September 2024 card at the Las Vegas Sphere, with the cost of the previous event described as pocket change in comparison. “What the Sphere costs is a huge change compared to what this will cost,” White told TNT Sports. The Sphere event, which featured movie-quality animation produced with Hollywood producers and animators, was already the most expensive in UFC history.

The UFC previously announced a $700,000 fee just to replace the South Lawn grass after the event. White explained that production challenges included working with the natural slope of the South Lawn, Secret Service security protocols and his vision for a minimalist visual setup. “I don’t want to see a traditional lighting grid, I don’t want to see any screens, I don’t want to see any lights. All I want to see is the White House in the background and the Washington Monument on the other side,” White explained.

Craig Borsari, UFC Chief Content Officer and Executive Producer, oversees technical planning. White said Borsari’s team recently presented him with video renderings showing the exact setup for both the White House and fan viewing areas. The production team created 3D models of the South Lawn, including tracking sunlight and mapping weather patterns, to ensure visual consistency throughout the broadcast.

The event seats approximately 5,000 people on the South Lawn with direct views of the octagonwhile another 80,000 to 85,000 fans can watch from The Ellipse, a nearby park. The Ellipse setup will feature large LED screens, a main stage for live music and various fan experiences throughout the day. White compared the weeklong celebration to International Fight Week in Las Vegas, with promising press conferences, fighter signings and fan interactions throughout Washington DC.

Tickets will not be sold to the general public for either location. The 5,000 South Lawn visitors are expected to be elite guests, with security measures limiting broader public access. White said fighters will walk from the Oval Office to the octagon for their entrances.

The UFC has not yet announced the fight card, although White previously stated that it would feature the organization’s biggest stars and potentially multiple championship fights. The event is expected to air on CBS, following UFC’s $7.7 billion media rights deal with Paramount that went into effect in 2026.

White House restrictions will prevent sponsors from displaying logos on the cage, eliminating traditional revenue streams for UFC. Despite the financial constraints, White has characterized the event as a “historic one-on-one battle” that represents the most substantial logistical challenge his organization has faced.