UFC White House Images

Donald Trump has shared the first detailed look at the transformation planned for the South Lawn of the White House ahead of UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, calling it "the biggest event we've ever had at the White House" and "the greatest show on earth."

Trump presented the renderings on May 6 during a meeting in the Oval Office with UFC's four headliners — Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, Alex Pereira, and Ciryl Gane. He held up a series of images showing the Octagon at the centre of a purpose-built arena, framed by an illuminated arch with the White House directly behind it. Additional angles included an aerial view of the full structure set against the Washington D.C. skyline.

The arena will seat approximately 4,300 spectators close to the cage, with priority given to military personnel. Beyond the venue itself, eight large screens positioned across Washington will allow an estimated 75,000 to 100,000 members of the public to watch the fights from the Ellipse, free of charge.

Construction is set to begin imminently. TKO Group Holdings and the UFC are bearing the full cost of the production, which is estimated at $60 million. That figure is nearly three times the $21 million spent on UFC 306 at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Included in the total is $700,000 earmarked specifically for lawn restoration once the event concludes.

The event doubles as Trump's 80th birthday celebration and falls on the same date as the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, from which it takes its name. Dana White has confirmed that 85,000 free tickets will be distributed for the outdoor viewing areas.

“It’s never going to happen again. It’s never happened before. And it’s all of the best fighters. And it’s going to happen right in front of the White House,” Trump