Trump Unveils Major Plans for UFC Arena—What This Means for Fight Fans!
President Donald Trump announced that construction of a temporary UFC arena called “The Claw” will begin next week on the South Lawn of the White House, with seating for 5,000 spectators.
On May 1, 2026, President Donald Trump addressed the media before departing from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC. He spoke about an upcoming event in Florida with The Villages and his attendance at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches dinner.
In a conversation with One America’s Daniel Baldwin, Trump revealed that construction on a temporary UFC arena, named "The Claw," will commence next week on the South Lawn. The arena is designed to accommodate 5,000 spectators and will feature UFC’s “Freedom 250” event, scheduled for June 14. The event will prominently feature a fight between fighters Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje.
Construction of UFC Arena “The Claw” Begins Next Week
“This arena will be built right here, and it’ll be about 5,000 seats,” Trump informed reporters. “We’re expecting 100,000 people down by the Ellipse with screens, and the best part is, it’s all free. It’s going to be fantastic.”
While the official construction site is located in Lititz, Pennsylvania, a rural area west of Philadelphia, the UFC organization plans to allocate approximately $60 million for this highly anticipated event.
President Trump is known for his regular attendance at UFC events
Although “The Claw” can hold 5,000 attendees, many more are expected to gather at the Ellipse, the vast space between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, where UFC organizers plan to distribute 85,000 free tickets, as stated by UFC President Dana White.
President Trump is known for his regular attendance at UFC events, including his latest appearance at UFC 327 in Miami, and he maintains a strong partnership with Dana White.
