The CEO of the world’s premier MMA organization is no stranger to taking risks. However, his latest gamble might leave Dana White with more than a bruised ego. The upcoming Noche UFC event at the Sphere in Las Vegas is shaping up to be a potential financial headache for the promotion.
The $2.3 billion Sphere is a state-of-the-art venue, and it seemed like the perfect backdrop for this ambitious project. Dana White even claimed he would never attempt anything like it again. But as the old saying goes, “If you build it, they will come.” Or will they? Recent reports suggest that ticket sales for the event are lagging.
White’s vision for the Noche UFC was grand from the start. He wanted to create a “love letter to Mexican people” on Mexican Independence Day. But, approximately 3,000 seats remain unsold with less than two weeks to go. This is despite White reportedly investing over $20 million in the event.
The numbers paint a concerning picture. Nearly one-fifth of the seats are still up for grabs out of a total capacity of 15,410. So, what’s causing this ticketing trouble? The answer might lie in the price tags. The cheapest seats are going for a cool $3,000, while premium spots command an eye-watering $12,000.
Dana White Had Previously Claimed That The UFC Noche Gate Would Be Over $25 million
White had announced that the upcoming UFC Noche event at the Sphere in Las Vegas would shatter all previous gate records. The UFC boss expected the event to rake in over $25 million at the gate. This ambitious forecast came before recent reports of lagging ticket sales. It seems White was determined to make this event a financial knockout.
Let’s rewind a bit. The current UFC gate record stands at $21.1 million. Conor McGregor vs. Eddie Alvarez set this benchmark at Madison Square Garden in New York. Now, White believes a Mexican Independence Day celebration in Vegas will topple the Irish superstar’s achievement.
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Despite the lack of ticket sales, betting against Dana White is hard. This is the man who kept the UFC running during a global pandemic. He’s turned seemingly impossible situations into triumphs before. Who’s to say he can’t do it again?
Also Read: Which Fighters Are Competing In Dana White’s Contender Series Season 8 Week 3?
