New photos show the scale of the construction project near the White House
Unusual construction is underway on the White House grounds. Near the U.S. president’s residence, an arena is being built for the UFC Freedom Fights 250 tournament, and a new ballroom is under construction nearby, which is linked to Donald Trump. New photos have already appeared online, showing the scale of the work. Part of the White House grounds now looks more like a large construction site than a traditional presidential residence.
A panoramic photo published by photographer Kevin Dietsch showed several large-scale projects on the White House grounds at once. The photo shows the structures of the future UFC arena, equipment, building materials, and large metal installations. Elements resembling parts of a lighting system for a major sports event were also spotted on the grounds.
According to U.S. media reports, the arena is being prepared for the UFC Freedom Fights 250 tournament, which is set to take place in just a few weeks. To this end, an octagon and technical infrastructure are being installed on the South Lawn of the White House. At the same time, another large-scale project is underway—the construction of a new ballroom, which is linked to Donald Trump’s initiative. Its cost is estimated at approximately $400 million.
Part of the East Wing of the White House was demolished to make way for the new ballroom. That is where the First Lady’s offices and administrative spaces were previously located. According to American journalists, Trump has long advocated for the creation of a large official hall for formal receptions, state dinners, and large-scale events. He has repeatedly stated that the White House lacks modern space for large ceremonies.
The construction of a UFC arena near the presidential residence has also sparked heated debate in the U.S. Some social media users called it “the strangest transformation of the White House in recent years.” At the same time, Trump’s supporters reacted positively to the idea and stated that such events make politics “more accessible to the people.”
The White House has not yet officially commented on the details of organizing the UFC tournament or the completion date for the ballroom. Meanwhile, new photos from the grounds of the residence quickly spread across social media and news outlets worldwide. The images clearly show just how much the area around the White House has changed.
Construction has begun on the grounds of the White House for the UFC Freedom Fights 250 tournament, scheduled for June 14, 2026. This will be the first professional sports tournament held directly on the grounds of the U.S. presidential residence.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the state reception hall—for which the historic East Wing of the White House was demolished—is expected to be completed in about a year and a half.
Donald Trump has always used architecture as a reflection of his brand—from Trump Tower to Mar-a-Lago. His new plan—to expand the East Wing of the White House with a massive ballroom—is seen as a symbolic move that transforms the “people’s house” into an extension of the Trump brand. The hall, spanning over 35,000 square feet—larger than the residence itself—would serve not only as a venue for official receptions but also as a monument to Trump’s vision of grandeur and politics as a spectacle.
