The White House UFC Event Is Costing $60 Million

The White House UFC event, billed as part of America’s founding celebrations, is estimated at more than $60 million, according to a recent court filing. Dubbed UFC Freedom 250, the fights are set for the White House South Lawn this summer in a promotional push tied to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The government document describes the production as a collaboration between the White House, executive agencies, and the UFC, with well over $60 million of preparations and tens of thousands of hours of labor already invested. The plan calls for more than 4,000 spectators on the South Lawn, including over 1,000 service members, and an event bubble that could draw over 120,000 ticket-holders who won free tickets in a lottery to watch from the nearby Ellipse. Public Integrity Project filed a lawsuit arguing that staging the event on public property would be improper. White House officials and UFC supporters say the lawsuit is baseless and insist UFC is funding the entire production, with no taxpayer dollars beyond routine duties referenced. The government notes that more than seven federal agencies have allocated resources for the undertaking, including the Interior Department, DHS, and the FAA. Dana White told TIME the company expects to lose about $30 million, while public polling shows limited support for the event on White House grounds, underscoring the controversy surrounding this high-profile celebration.