What happens if it rains during the UFC event on the White House lawn?

May 28, 2026, 2:07 p.m. ET

The open-air arena being constructed for UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House has people asking one important question.

Thunderstorms are common during summer months in Washington DC, and the prospect of severe weather could complicate plans for one of the most unique events to take place at the White House.

Here's what we know about possible contingency plans ahead of the June 14 event, which takes place as the United Sates celebrates its 250th birthday.

Is there a backup plan if it rains during UFC Freedom 250?

UFC CEO Dana White doesn't necessarily like having outdoor events, calling them "unpredictable." But there's very little that could stop next month's bouts from happening.

Rain and even snow won't stop the event, White said in an expletive-laden statement ast month. "Lighting is the only thing. We'd have to wait it out. We'd have to wait the lightning out and then do the fight."

That being said, "rain would suck," according to White, listing it among the reasons why this is just the second UFC event to be held outside.

"Heavy winds will suck. If it's muggy and bugs. All this kind of s*** is the stuff you have to deal with when you do it outside, but we're going through all of it," he said. "Any of those things happen, it doesn't matter, we're still going."

Any lightning in the area could pause the event for at least 30 minutes under standard outdoor safety protocols commonly used in DC.

White told FOX Sports this week UFC officials will work "closely with the military" to monitor the weather.

“So the military knows the weather 10 days out," he commented. "They’ll notify us every two hours, 10 days out. Seven days out, they’ll notify us every hour.”

The UFC arena will seat 5,000 people, with room for around 85,000 spectators to attend a watch party on the nearby Ellipse and National Mall.