Why some tickets could cost $1.5m for UFC White House show

Ilia Topuria (left) and Justin Gaethje (right) met US President Donald Trump at the White House 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.