Dana White, the UFC president, firmly rejected the idea of hosting UFC events in stadiums during a press conference in Kansas City on April 26 2025. Speaking after a UFC Fight Night at T-Mobile Center, White said attending WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas did not sway him. He praised the vibrant energy of arenas, pointing to the Kansas City crowd as a prime example. The event, headlined by Ian Machado Garry’s unanimous decision win over Carlos Prates, showcased the atmosphere White prefers for UFC fights.
When asked if WrestleMania changed his view, White was direct.
“No, okay? No,” he said. “Nothing will change my mind about a stadium show. I mean, you guys were here tonight. Kansas City is an awesome city. The people here are great. I really like this town. And, the energy in that place was awesome all night. That’s the energy you get in an [arena].”
He acknowledged WrestleMania’s draw, adding:
“Not that there wasn’t [energy at WrestleMania]. Listen. When you have 63,000 people there, you’re gonna get some energy, like they did. But I am not a fan of stadiums. I like arenas.”
Dana White says being at WrestleMania did not change his mind about stadium shows: I am not a fan of stadiums, I like arenas. pic.twitter.com/VyZgVvltRo
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) April 27, 2025
A Packed Night Reinforces Arena Preference
The Kansas City event drew 15,984 fans and a $2.2 million gate, setting a T-Mobile Center record, per ESPN. The card included Zhang Mingyang’s first-round TKO over Anthony Smith, who retired afterward. White also confirmed a middleweight title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev and teased a major heavyweight bout. His stance on arenas reflects past choices, with UFC 243 in Melbourne (57,127 attendees) as a rare stadium exception, per Forbes.
WrestleMania 41, held April 19 and 20 2025 at Allegiant Stadium, drew about 63,000 fans per night, totaling 124,693 in a venue with a 65,000 capacity. White, who narrated its opening video, faced boos from the crowd. Despite the spectacle, he believes arenas like T-Mobile Center, with a 19,000 capacity, offer a better fan experience. Posts on X praised the Kansas City energy, though some fans pushed for stadium shows like Jon Jones versus Tom Aspinall. White’s focus remains on arenas for upcoming events like UFC 315 in Las Vegas.
White’s commitment to arena energy shapes the UFC’s future, prioritizing intimate, high-energy venues over larger stadiums. Kansas City’s lively crowd reinforced his vision for the sport’s atmosphere.
