Stadium construction begins at White House for UFC Freedom 250

UNITED STATES, May 26 — Construction is underway at the White House to build a temporary structure for next month's Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fight. President Donald Trump is hosting the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn on Sunday, June 14, which will mark Flag Day, the day Congress approved the design of a national flag, and the president's 80th birthday.

Tickets are not listed for the 8 p.m. event, which will be available to watch on Paramount+, according to the UFC Freedom 250 website. Crews have already started assembling the semi-circular structure on the lawn just behind the octagon and stands for people to watch. The structure was made in Pennsylvania and shipped to D.C. Dana White, the CEO of the UFC, said he plans to keep the White House the backdrop for every fight. The South Lawn will be able to seat about 5,000 people, but an overflow crowd will be able to watch the event on giant screens set up on The Ellipse, a large lawn area near the White House sometimes referred to as the "President's Park South." The UFC Freedom 250 event will begin Friday, June 12, with a press conference at the Lincoln Memorial. A fan fest and Zac Brown Band concert will be held Saturday, June 13, at The Ellipse.