UFC President Dana White has confirmed that the promotion has completed the blueprint for an unprecedented UFC fight card at the White House, yet he’s deliberately keeping the full list of matchups under wraps at least for now.
The comments came amid ongoing planning for what could become one of the most talked-about events in mixed martial arts history, and also one of the costliest.
A Historic Show, Not Your Typical UFC Event
Scheduled for June 14, 2026, the White House fight card is being organized as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, and will take place on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C.
This location alone sets the event apart no UFC show has ever been staged at an institution so symbolic of American leadership and history.
While the White House wasn’t traditionally a venue for professional sports, negotiations between the UFC and government officials have progressed steadily since last year, culminating in the planned summer date.
White Doesn’t Reveal Fights, Yet Acknowledges Progress
Despite public curiosity and mounting rumors about potential headliners, Dana White isn’t releasing any official fight announcements yet.
According to reports, the promotional team has wrapped up its internal planning on the structure of the fight card, but is delaying the public reveal until closer to the event date.
White’s strategy appears to be patience he wants finalized contracts and confirmed participation before announcing specific pairings.
Sources say this is partly to avoid disappointing fight fans with premature or speculative listings, and partly because negotiations with top fighters require time and discretion.
Production Costs That Break Records
One detail White has spoken about openly is the extraordinary cost of mounting a UFC show at the White House, so much so that he’s mentioned it exceeds any budget the UFC has dealt with previously.
To put things in context, the production budget is reportedly much higher than what was spent on the UFC 306 Sphere event in Las Vegas an event that itself was considered expensive and grand in scale.
Replacing the South Lawn’s grass afterwards is estimated to cost up to $1 million, not including construction, security, staging, and other logistical expenses.
Importantly, White has stressed that no taxpayer dollars will be used to fund the event.
The UFC is shouldering the full financial burden, easing concerns about public money being diverted to cover production costs.
How Fans Will Watch
Broadcast plans for UFC’s White House event are mapped out in the company’s new deal with Paramount+.
The event won’t follow the traditional pay-per-view model. Instead, fans with a standard Paramount+ subscription will be able to watch the fights live, without an extra PPV fee.
Some prelim fights might air on CBS, but the main event will be exclusive to the streaming service.
This broadcast setup could expand UFC’s audience, especially given the historic nature of the location and overall hype around the show.
The Paramount+ platform was chosen after the company’s lucrative broadcast agreement replaced the older ESPN partnership.
Potential Fight Stars Under Consideration
Although specific matchups aren’t official yet, a handful of high-profile UFC names have been linked to the White House card through speculation, social media, or public comments:
- Conor McGregor has openly expressed interest and is eager to make his long-anticipated return at the event.
- Nate Diaz, after years out of active competition, has hinted at a possible return, fueling talk of a trilogy bout with McGregor.
- Islam Makhachev is in the mix as one of the sport’s top current stars and could headline if negotiations align.
On the other hand, some potential blockbusters have been ruled out or remain uncertain.
White himself has dismissed the idea of a Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler fight, and there’s also skepticism about the participation of Jon Jones, who has faced challenges regarding trust and availability.
Fan Expectations and Skepticism
Despite the buzz, not all pundits are convinced the event will deliver the “biggest card ever.”
Some former fighters and commentators argue that the UFC’s current roster lacks consistent star power compared to past eras, which could limit the final lineup’s impact.
However, White remains confident. In recent comments, he suggested that once the matchups are officially announced, the White House card could become the most-watched event in UFC history, a claim that reflects the sheer scale and novelty of the spectacle.
What Comes Next
With the date now fixed and most logistical planning complete, the UFC is in the final stretch of preparing for the White House event.
Matchmaking is said to be progressing rapidly, with announcements expected soon as contracts are solidified.
For now, fans around the world continue to wait eagerly for fight announcements that could define this historic night on the South Lawn.