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Dana White explains how UFC White House won’t ask Donald Trump to use ‘taxpayer money’ for event

Photo by FRANK FRANKLIN II/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by FRANK FRANKLIN II/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
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Dana White has addressed questions surrounding how an unprecedented UFC event tied to the White House will be funded.

UFC President Dana White is preparing for a unique showcase scheduled to take place at the White House during the summer of 2026.

As anticipation around the event continues to build, White was asked directly about whether taxpayer money would be involved.

US President Donald Trump (C) and UFC CEO Dana White (L) attend a UFC 316 event.
Photo by FRANK FRANKLIN II/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Dana White outlines funding position for UFC White House event

Dana White said the UFC will not ask President Donald Trump or the federal government to use taxpayer funds for the event.

Speaking to Sports Business Journal, White acknowledged the scale of the project and reiterated that the UFC will fund the event in full.

Those costs include the construction of a temporary arena and the restoration of the White House South Lawn after the event concludes.

He explained that the promotion plans to cover all costs associated with staging the card. White said the organization is prepared to absorb those expenses without outside financial support.

How the funding clarity shapes planning for the White House card

In previous interviews, Dana White claimed that the cost of the UFC White House event would eclipse the $20 million Noche UFC event at the Las Vegas Sphere in 2024.

The decision removes a potential point of public concern ahead of formal planning stages. It also allows organizers to proceed without questions surrounding public spending or political approval tied to financing.

With funding now clarified, focus is expected to shift toward logistics, security considerations, and the overall structure of the event.

White promised to start working on the UFC White House card this week, with the event in June set to be a monumental event for the MMA powerhouse.