UFC fighting cage rises on White House lawn for US and Trump celebrations

The UFC bout at the White House marks the 250th anniversary of the US and President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.Yet another White House construction project is under way in the United States, though this one is meant to be only temporary.Crews are erecting an octagon-shaped cage on the South Lawn that will host next month’s Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bout, marking the nation’s 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Messi’s GOAT statue in India to be removed over safety concernslist 2 of 4Messi set for more tests ahead of World Cup but Argentina are optimisticlist 3 of 4World Cup broadcast hopes boosted in India as Zee Entertainment in talkslist 4 of 4Scotland fans book 20 school buses for games at ‘inaccessible’ US World Cupend of listOnline renderings depict what the completed, wire-mesh-fence-ringed fight space is expected to look like before the June 14 event. It will be ringed by a red, white and blue stage under a towering arch featuring stars-and-stripes patterns and two large screens showing the action live.The cage and stage will themselves be surrounded by thousands of temporary seats, including ringside space for a full marching band that can set the entire scene to blaring music.The project is part of a series of events celebrating the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence’s signing on July 4, 1776. Other planned functions include an IndyCar race that will pass by the White House and the Great American State Fair taking place on the National Mall.Trump has said the finished UFC project will feature “a 5,000-seat arena right outside the front door of the White House”.The UFC mixed martial arts fight is to be held on June 14, 2026 [Mark Schiefelbein/AP]Additional large screens broadcasting the fights will be set up in a park at the nearby Ellipse, and the UFC has said it plans to issue as many as 85,000 free tickets to accommodate spectators at both locations.