UFC owners reported a $30 million loss staging the invite-only Freedom 250 event at the White House in June, despite initial costs estimated to be over $60 million. The event, which attracted an average of 34 million viewers worldwide and was attended by US President Donald Trump, coincided with his 80th birthday and was part of celebrations marking 250 years of American independence. TKO Group Holdings reported a 29% increase in UFC revenue for the second quarter of this year to $535.7 million, driven in part by a new TV deal with Paramount worth $7.7 billion. The loss on Freedom 250 was expected and was partially offset by sponsorships and media exposure.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
- Published
UFC owners lost $30m (£22m) staging the Freedom 250 event, which was attended by US President Donald Trump, at the White House in June.
asserted
which → publish → June
Despite the one-off event's losses, which UFC expected, the organisation still saw an increase of revenue for the second quarter of 2026, parent company TKO Group Holdings said on Monday.
asserted
Holdings → expect → Monday
An estimated 4,300 people including president Trump and Vice-President JD Vance were present for the invite-only event on the South Lawn of the presidential compound, which formed part of celebrations to mark 250 years of American independence.
asserted
which → estimate → independence
Tickets were not sold to the general public for the event, and initial costs were predicted to be more than $60m (£44m).
asserted
costs → sell → event
However, UFC was able to recoup some money through sponsorships, media exposure and other partnerships.
asserted
UFC → recoup → sponsorships
In May, reports suggested 'high-roller' guests would need to spend $1.5m (£1.1m) for special access, and while UFC sources confirmed to BBC Sport the existence of such packages for the event, they did not confirm how much they cost.
uncertain
they → suggest → much
Trump has a long-standing friendship with UFC president Dana White and the event coincided with his 80th birthday.
asserted
event → have → birthday
Andrew Schleimer, chief financial officer of TKO Group, told investors on Monday they incurred significantly higher than normal costs for Freedom 250, which they "partially offset with sold-out global partnerships inventory."
asserted
they → tell → inventory
He added: "Given the event's profile, which as anticipated, resulted in an approximate $30m loss, our margins at UFC as well as on a consolidated basis were meaningfully impacted."
asserted
margins → add → basis
Last year, TKO Group signed a $7.7bn (£5.7bn), seven-year contract with Paramount for the US channel to become the new home of UFC starting in 2026, with the White House event shown exclusively on its subscription streaming platform Paramount+.
asserted
event → sign → platform
The event attracted an average of 34 million viewers worldwide, making it one of the most watched mixed martial arts events of all time.
asserted
it → attract → time
TKO reported UFC's revenue increased 29% year over year to $535.7m (£398.7m) for the second quarter of this year.
asserted
revenue → report → year
This includes a $64.7m (£48.2m) increase in media rights driven by the TV deal with Paramount.
asserted
This → include → Paramount
- Published
UFC owners lost $30m (£22m) staging the Freedom 250 event, which was attended by US President Donald Trump, at the White House in June.
asserted
which → publish → June
Despite the one-off event's losses, which UFC expected, the organisation still saw an increase of revenue for the second quarter of 2026, parent company TKO Group Holdings said on Monday.
asserted
Holdings → expect → Monday
An estimated 4,300 people including president Trump and Vice-President JD Vance were present for the invite-only event on the South Lawn of the presidential compound, which formed part of celebrations to mark 250 years of American independence.
asserted
which → estimate → independence
Tickets were not sold to the general public for the event, and initial costs were predicted to be more than $60m (£44m).
asserted
costs → sell → event
However, UFC was able to recoup some money through sponsorships, media exposure and other partnerships.
asserted
UFC → recoup → sponsorships
In May, reports suggested 'high-roller' guests would need to spend $1.5m (£1.1m) for special access, and while UFC sources confirmed to BBC Sport the existence of such packages for the event, they did not confirm how much they cost.
uncertain
they → suggest → much
Trump has a long-standing friendship with UFC president Dana White and the event coincided with his 80th birthday.
asserted
event → have → birthday
Andrew Schleimer, chief financial officer of TKO Group, told investors on Monday they incurred significantly higher than normal costs for Freedom 250, which they "partially offset with sold-out global partnerships inventory."
asserted
they → tell → inventory
He added: "Given the event's profile, which as anticipated, resulted in an approximate $30m loss, our margins at UFC as well as on a consolidated basis were meaningfully impacted."
asserted
margins → add → basis
Last year, TKO Group signed a $7.7bn (£5.7bn), seven-year contract with Paramount for the US channel to become the new home of UFC starting in 2026, with the White House event shown exclusively on its subscription streaming platform Paramount+.
asserted
event → sign → platform
The event attracted an average of 34 million viewers worldwide, making it one of the most watched mixed martial arts events of all time.
asserted
it → attract → time
TKO reported UFC's revenue increased 29% year over year to $535.7m (£398.7m) for the second quarter of this year.
asserted
revenue → report → year
This includes a $64.7m (£48.2m) increase in media rights driven by the TV deal with Paramount.
asserted
This → include → Paramount
