President Donald Trump offered an enthusiastic preview of the UFC event scheduled for June 14th at the White House during remarks at a presidential fitness ceremony, calling it the biggest card the promotion has ever attempted .
“On June 14th, we’re going to have the UFC in the biggest event they’ve ever done by far,” Trump said. “It’s the hardest ticket I’ve ever been involved with.”
Trump went on to explain that a temporary stadium is being built specifically for the event on the White House grounds.
“They’re building a 5,000 seat stadium right in the front of, right by the front door of the White House,” he said.
According to Trump, the event will extend far beyond the arena itself, with a massive public viewing setup planned across the surrounding park area.
“They’re going to have anywhere from 75 to 100,000 people on the park right past the White House with eight tremendous screens,” he added.
Trump credited UFC CEO Dana White for spearheading the idea and bringing the ambitious event together.
“That’s Dana White’s dream,” Trump said. “What that is, it’s going to be amazing.”
While Trump did not reveal any details regarding ticket prices or purchase packages, he made it clear that demand is expected to overwhelm the limited seating capacity.
Referring again to the 5,000-seat venue, Trump repeated that it would be “the hardest ticket I’ve ever been involved with.”
The president also framed the June 14th UFC event as part of a larger celebration surrounding major sporting and national events taking place in the United States over the next few years.
“This year we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country and it’s our nation’s founding,” Trump said. “It’s a big deal.”
In addition to the UFC card, Trump announced that racing entrepreneur Roger Penske will finally bring an IndyCar championship race to Washington, D.C., something Penske had reportedly been pursuing for decades.
“He’s been trying to get it here for 25 years,” Trump said of Penske. “He said, ‘I came to Washington exactly 121 times and I was never able to get it. I came once to see you and we had it done in a half an hour.’”
Trump added that Pennsylvania Avenue will be shut down for the race, which is expected to take place in August.
“He picked a perfect course,” Trump said. “He said it’s as good as you can get.”
Closing his remarks, Trump described the packed sports calendar as part of what he sees as a larger resurgence in the country.
“These next few years will be a golden age for American sports, just like it’s a golden age for America,” he said.
