UFC’s Historic Event at the White House Expected to Be Costly

This year promises a series of significant sporting events in the U.S., not least among them is the unprecedented UFC card set to take place at the White House on June 14th.

However, it seems the UFC will be facing hefty expenses for this historic occasion. Mark Shapiro, who serves as the president and COO of TKO Group Holdings, recently discussed the anticipated costs during a quarterly earnings call, noting that the event could cost “more than $60 million.”

“When everything is factored in—like fighter payments and the Fan Fest—I’m thinking the expenses might actually exceed that,” Shapiro elaborated. “It’s definitely not trending down. In fact, it might be going up. The reality is, it’s still a moving target.”

All costs for the event will be handled by TKO Group Holdings, including the construction of an arena on the White House’s south lawn and fighter fees. The UFC is aiming to recover at least half of the projected $60 million through sponsorship deals and other avenues, but it appears to still be facing a significant financial hit.

Shapiro mentioned that they’re working closely with corporate partners to identify monetizable packages for the event weekend, adding that even in the worst-case scenario of $60 million, half could potentially be offset depending on additional spending.

The White House has not provided any immediate commentary regarding the event.

Shapiro noted that there are multiple current and prospective partners interested in forming long-term partnerships with TKO, some of whom may participate in this White House event.

It’s hardly surprising that the event comes with such a large price tag. Dana White, the UFC’s CEO, has previously indicated it would rank among the priciest events ever staged.

Ultimately, everyone involved is keen to pull out all the stops in making this event a major historical milestone, especially given its connection to this year’s America 250 celebration.

“Let me emphasize: we don’t profit just from White House events,” Shapiro clarified. “We’re not making money from the 250th anniversary either. This is a long-term investment focused on earned media, reaching new audiences, and ultimately enhancing our viewership and presence on Paramount+

White has previously vowed that this event will showcase “the best fight card ever assembled.” Though negotiations haven’t kicked off yet, several high-profile fighters have expressed interest in being part of the lineup.