Perth Becomes Australia's Home of the UFC
Perth is set to become Australia’s home of the UFC, with the Western Australian Government securing a multi-event deal with TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of both UFC and WWE. The agreement, which was quietly signed before the WA Government entered caretaker mode ahead of the upcoming state election, will bring five major UFC and WWE events to RAC Arena over the next 18 months.
The deal, which had been kept under wraps until now, ensures Western Australia will host a UFC Fight Night later this year, as previously planned, but now also includes an additional four events. The agreement also confirms that Perth will host a UFC pay-per-view in 2026, making it the fourth time the city has welcomed a numbered UFC event.
UFC & WWE Events to Boost Perth’s Global Exposure
TKO’s executive vice-president of event development and operations, Peter Dropick, described Perth as a “world-class city” with a passionate fanbase, highlighting its ability to draw global attention through the UFC’s broadcast reach of 975 million TV households across more than 170 countries.
“Perth’s tourism and hospitality is second to none, and UFC will proudly showcase the city and its wonderful people to the world,” Dropick said.
The agreement follows the huge success of UFC 284 in February 2023, which saw Alexander Volkanovski challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title at RAC Arena in front of a sellout crowd. The event generated millions in economic impact, cementing Western Australia as a viable destination for global combat sports events.
UFC’s Growing Presence in Perth
In August 2024, the UFC returned to RAC Arena for UFC 305, headlined by Dricus Du Plessis defending his middleweight title against Israel Adesanya. The event drew more than 14,000 fans, reinforcing the sport’s popularity in Australia.
Western Australia Premier Roger Cook hailed the latest deal as a “major coup”, referencing the financial boost that previous UFC and WWE events brought to the state.
“The return of the UFC in 2025 is a major win for WA, following the roaring success of UFC 284 and UFC 305,” Cook said. “Both events injected tens of millions into our economy, and we expect the upcoming events to have a similar impact.”
Although the financial details of the contract have not been disclosed, the WA Government has earmarked $37 million in its budget to attract major sporting and entertainment events.
UFC’s Long-Term Future in Western Australia
The deal marks the first of its kind in the Austral-Asian region, signaling a shift towards a long-term relationship between UFC and Perth. The consistent presence of UFC pay-per-views and Fight Nights in the city underscores Western Australia’s growing reputation as a fight capital.
With ticket sales, fight cards, and further details set to be revealed in the coming months, MMA fans in Australia can expect more high-profile events as the UFC strengthens its foothold in the region.
