Praising the aggressive tax incentives and streamlined zoning approvals offered by the host city, UFC officials on Thursday formally announced the White House as the site of Sunday’s pay-per-view fight card.
WASHINGTON — Praising the aggressive tax incentives and streamlined zoning approvals offered by the host city, UFC officials on Thursday formally announced the White House as the site of Sunday’s Freedom 250 fight card.
UFC President Dana White confirmed that President Donald Trump and his administration had successfully outbid several other regional municipalities, including the city of Jacksonville and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, to secure the temporary Octagon installation on the South Lawn. White noted that the federal government was an ideal civic partner, citing the administration's willingness to reclassify the Rose Garden as a mixed-use entertainment district to bypass local noise ordinances.
The finalized venue agreement reportedly includes full taxpayer assumption of all broadcasting infrastructure costs, a permanent easing of athletic commission drug-testing requirements on federal land, and exclusive VIP access to the Oval Office for Monster Energy executives during the preliminary bouts.
When you look at the infrastructure, the security apparatus, and the complete lack of regulatory oversight, the Executive Branch really put together an incredibly competitive package.
ESPN will carry the main card, while the official weigh-ins are scheduled to be broadcast live from the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room. To comply with the league's robust integrity policy, DraftKings will reportedly process in-fight wagers directly through the Treasury Department to ensure a seamless fan experience.
Freedom 250 gets underway Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. The venue will remain closed to standard tour groups through the weekend to accommodate the pay-per-view load-in, with normal diplomatic operations expected to resume shortly after the middleweight title bout.