Get ready for a groundbreaking moment in sports! The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to host a major event at the White House on July 4, 2026, celebrating 250 years of America. This announcement, confirmed by UFC’s CEO Dana White, marks the first time a professional mixed martial arts event will take place in such a prestigious setting.
During an interview on CBS Mornings, White emphasized, “It is definitely going to happen.” He recently held discussions with former President Donald Trump regarding the event and plans to meet later this month to iron out the logistics with both Trump and Ivanka Trump.
“When he called and proposed this idea, he said, ‘I want Ivanka involved,'” reminisced White. “Ivanka reached out to me, and we’ve been discussing how to make this unique event happen, including the venue’s design plans.”
This announcement comes alongside UFC’s new seven-year streaming partnership deal with Paramount, valued at around $1.1 billion per year. This deal marks a notable transition from UFC’s established pay-per-view model, allowing selected events to be broadcast live on CBS.
White described this deal as a significant achievement for both his career and the sport’s evolution, indicating how the media landscape is shifting. Despite this, he asserts that pay-per-view remains a strong option for fans.
“I’m not sure there’s a better model out there,” he said. “Look at how things change; who would have predicted the decline of taxi cabs or the drop in cable subscriptions?”
Looking ahead, White confirmed that while UFC will continue their pay-per-view events—like the upcoming fight scheduled this Saturday in Chicago—they are adapting to the demands of streaming services for a larger audience.
“Sports must be watched live; that’s where the excitement is,” he noted. “It’s a big draw for these streaming networks.”
At this stage, no fighters have been officially announced for the White House showdown, which is intriguing as it’s almost a year away. Holding a professional MMA match in such an iconic venue sets a new precedent in sports tradition.
The Paramount agreement pushes UFC into the big league beside other renowned events aired on CBS, such as the Masters Tournament, NCAA Final Four, and the Super Bowl.
Remember, Paramount is a division of Skydance Corporation and the proud parent of CBS News.
