Trump Announces UFC Event at White House for 250th Anniversary

President Donald Trump has announced plans to host an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event on the White House grounds in 2026 as part of the United States' 250th anniversary celebrations. Speaking at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines on July 3, 2025, Trump detailed that the event would be a full-scale championship fight, accommodating between 20,000 to 25,000 attendees.

"We're going to have a UFC fight—think of this—on the grounds of the White House," Trump stated. "We have a lot of land there. Dana [White] is going to do it. We're going to have a UFC championship fight, a full event, with around 20 to 25,000 people. We're going to do that as part of the 250th celebrations."

The proposed UFC match is part of a broader initiative, "America250," aimed at commemorating the nation's milestone with various events across national parks, battlefields, and historic sites. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the president's commitment to the plan, stating that Trump is "dead serious" about hosting the event.

The America250 initiative is a nonpartisan effort established by Congress to plan and orchestrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, chaired by former Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios, oversees this initiative. The mission is to engage Americans across the country in designing the largest anniversary observance in the nation's history, fostering shared experiences that reflect on the past, honor contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future.

President Trump has a longstanding relationship with UFC President Dana White, dating back to at least 2001 when Trump allowed the UFC to hold a fight at his Trump Taj Mahal hotel in Atlantic City. Trump is a regular attendee at UFC events, most recently at UFC 316 in New Jersey, where he received enthusiastic receptions and appeared ringside alongside Dana White.

Hosting a UFC event on the White House grounds is unprecedented and signifies a blending of sports entertainment with national celebrations. This move could be seen as an effort to engage a broader demographic in the America250 celebrations, particularly younger audiences and sports enthusiasts. However, it may also raise questions about the appropriateness of hosting a combat sports event at a historic and symbolic location like the White House.

The United States has previously celebrated significant anniversaries with large-scale events. For instance, the Bicentennial in 1976 featured nationwide festivities, including parades, fireworks, and the commissioning of the USS Constitution. However, hosting a sporting event of this nature at the White House would be a first, marking a departure from traditional commemorative activities.

As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the proposed UFC event at the White House underscores a unique approach to national celebrations, blending traditional commemorations with contemporary entertainment to engage a diverse audience.