Secret Service Imposes Super Bowl-Level Security on 4,000 White House UFC Guests

Q: With UFC funding the show, who foots the multi-million dollar bill for its 'Super Bowl level' security?

The UFC appears to be paying for the event itself, but taxpayers are covering much of the extraordinary security bill. Reporting and court filings say the UFC and affiliated entities have spent well over $60 million on production and staging, including the temporary arena and event operations, and the White House has said the UFC is covering show-related costs. But the “Super Bowl level” security is a separate matter. Because the event has been designated a SEAR 1 security event, federal, local and park-police resources are being deployed much like they are for other major national events. The clearest public estimate so far is from the District of Columbia, which expects roughly $10 million to $12 million in supplemental security costs. That money is expected to come from a federally appropriated fund, not from UFC reimbursement. In addition, multiple federal agencies — including the Secret Service, Homeland Security, FAA, U.S. Park Police and others — are contributing personnel, screening, airspace enforcement, drones, road closures and intelligence support. The full federal cost has not been publicly itemized. So the practical answer is that UFC is footing the production bill, while the multi-million-dollar security burden is being shared by government agencies, with a significant portion ultimately funded through public money, especially federal appropriations and local public-safety budgets.

3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Jun 11

About 4,000 invited guests attending Sunday’s UFC event on the White House South Lawn will face Super Bowl-level security, while Ellipse watch-party attendees must register for free tickets and clear TSA-like screening.
The Department of Homeland Security gave Freedom 250 a Special Event Assessment Rating 1 designation, putting it in the same security tier as the Super Bowl, Indianapolis 500 and Kentucky Derby.
Federal officials also barred public drones over the National Capital Region, saying only law-enforcement aircraft will provide overwatch and urging spectators to report any drone they see.
Three recent shootings involving Secret Service personnel in the past two months have sharpened the agency’s focus as it works with U.S. Park Police on the event.
That tighter posture will extend beyond UFC weekend: the July 4 National Mall fireworks will, for the first time, be treated as a National Special Security Event with inauguration-level screening.