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Why some tickets could cost $1.5m for UFC White House show
TL;DR
Tickets for the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House will cost around $1.5 million. The event, celebrating 250 years of American independence, takes place on June 14, with most attendees being military members.
Key points
- Tickets for UFC Freedom 250 cost around $1.5 million
- Event celebrates 250 years of American independence
- Scheduled for June 14 at the White House
- 4,300 attendees will be military members
- 85,000 free tickets available for public viewing
Some tickets for the UFC's one-of-a-kind event at the White House next month will cost around $1.5m (£1.1m), according to respected MMA journalist Ariel Helwani.
The promotion is set to host a show at the the home of the United States president on 14 June, called UFC Freedom 250, to mark 250 years of American independence.
UFC president Dana White said this week that 4,300 people will watch the event on the South Lawn, most of whom will be members of the military, while 85,000 tickets will be made available for free to members of the public to watch the event at the nearby Ellipse Park.
The remaining numbers will be made up by "high rollers" who will have to pay $1.5m to watch the show as part of a luxury package.
"Partner investment is what it's being called," said Helwani.
"This is the offer: UFC Freedom 250, a partner welcome reception, press conference reserved seating, ceremonial weigh-ins, general admission access, Zak Brown concert access, UFC 329 floor tickets, and WWE event integration ring signage.
"It's a deck being sent out to a lot of influential people, high rollers."
BBC Sport has asked the UFC for clarification around tickets for the event.
The show is headlined by a unification bout between Georgian-Spanish lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and American interim title holder Justin Gaethje.
The co-main event sees Brazil's Alex Pereira face Frenchman Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title.
On Wednesday, the fighters met US President Donald Trump inside the Oval Office at the White House, where Topuria confidently predicted he would defeat Gaethje.
Topuria asked Trump why he wanted to give the "toughest test" to his "friend" Gaethje, with the President responding that each fighter in the room will be fighting their "toughest test" at the event.
"I have complete faith and I hope he has the same faith. That's going to make an amazing fight," added Topuria.
Gaethje could be seen smiling wryly during the encounter, before Trump shook hands with the fighters.
Trump also revealed commemorative red, white and blue belts which will be given to champions at the event.
The White House has hosted recreational sports and events before but the UFC's show will mark the first professional live sporting event to take place on the grounds.
The UFC is set to spend about $60m (£44.3m) on the event.
Figure caption,
White House to host UFC card
Figure caption,
MMA stars react to UFC White House
Q&A
What is the cost of tickets for the UFC Freedom 250 event?
Tickets for the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House will cost around $1.5 million.
When is the UFC Freedom 250 event scheduled to take place?
The UFC Freedom 250 event is scheduled for June 14.
How many tickets will be available for the public to watch the UFC event?
There will be 85,000 tickets made available for free to the public to watch the UFC event at Ellipse Park.
