How much will a UFC event at the White House cost? The latest report indicates a staggering amount

There’s no denying that the UFC’s event at the White House is the most anticipated fight card of the year, and is expected to feature some of the biggest stars in the sport. The fighters will reportedly descend into the Octagon located on the South Lawn of the White House, with the athletes exiting the Oval Office.

Given the size and scope of the event, it is not surprising that it would cost the company a significant amount. Last year, White said they would spend $700,000 to replace the South Lawn turf after organizing seating arrangements for an estimated 5,000 people and building a massive arch lined with lighting systems above the Octagon.

There are also plans to accommodate an additional 85,000 spectators at the nearby National Mall, where attendees will be able to watch the fights on giant screens. While the exact numbers are still unclear, a recent report from Puck News indicated that the UFC could end up spending around $60 million on the event.

That number is significantly larger than the reported $20 million spent on the Noche UFC spectacle at The Sphere in Las Vegas in September 2024. Last month, White privately claimed that a UFC event at the White House would make The Sphere event look like a “king’s ashtray.”

Dana White talks about the White House budget for the UFC and compares it to The Sphere event

Last month, Dana White shared an update on the UFC’s White House budget and made it clear that the organization will be shouldering everything.

In an interview with SBJ, White shared an update on the costs of UFC at the White House and compared it to the Noche UFC event that took place at The Sphere:

“No, we eat everything. So, yes, it will be a one-on-one historical battle, and like I talked to Sphere, we will make Sphere look like ashtray money.”

He added:

“Just the whole setup, the lighting grid. I don’t want a traditional lighting grid, I don’t want to see screens, I don’t want to see lights. The only thing I want to see is the White House in the background and the Washington Monument on the other side.”