WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal judge ruled on June 13, 2026, that the UFC Freedom 250 event can proceed. The event is scheduled for June 14, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, taking place on the White House South Lawn in Washington, D.C.

This event coincides with President Donald Trump's 80th birthday and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. TKO Group Holdings is covering the entire approximately $60 million cost for the event without using taxpayer funds. TKO expects to incur a $30 million loss on the event.

Construction crews worked day and night shifts for several weeks to build the South Lawn venue. The venue includes an octagon, a 90-foot-tall overhead arch structure, and restroom facilities. A temporary arena has been constructed on the South Lawn with a seating capacity of approximately 4,300 to 5,000. A ticketed viewing area on the Ellipse will accommodate approximately 80,000 to 85,000 attendees.

UFC chief executive Dana White discussed the security measures, stating, "The White House is going to do extensive background checks and all that stuff for everybody, not just fighters but anybody who steps on that property that night." He also said, "Like, if you stayed at the f---ing Four Seasons, these are the kind of bathrooms that we're installing in there." Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed a memorandum of understanding with White on June 11, 2026, establishing a public-private partnership with the mixed martial arts organization.

Rubio said, "We do everything separate from one another in this country, and I would say increasingly around the world. We are so polarized. There are only a handful of things that bring people together in one place at one time, united by their interest in one thing. We need more of those."

The fight card is headlined by a lightweight championship match between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. The event will be broadcast live on Paramount+. Trump purchased between $15,001 and $50,000 of TKO stock on March 25, 2026, according to a financial disclosure filing. In April, Trump commented on the public interest in the event, stating, "I have never had an event that has had more interest than the UFC fight we have right at the front door."