DC celebrates Freedom 250 with FIFA World Cup Fan Zone, along with UFC Fight on White House Lawn

WASHINGTON — Get ready for even more sporting events in D.C. as part of Freedom 250 celebrations. The District will now host a FIFA World Cup fan zone on the National Mall. 

This comes with the UFC fight planned for President Donald Trump's birthday on June 14.

Construction at the White House turned heads as an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) octagon is being built on the south lawn, with tall scaffolding being erected that will light the cage for the fight.

“Is that what that is? Dude, I thought it was a roller coaster,” said Jack Ciccone, who was visiting D.C. from Texas. “It's not the smartest way to spend the money, but it's so cool."

Some said they are fully on board with the fight.

"Oh, I love Dana White, I love Trump. I think it's a good thing,” said a tourist visiting from Georgia.

Others said they do not understand what it has to do with America's birthday.

“UFC cage fighting on the lawn of the White House? Strange,” said Ian Macdonald, who is visiting from England.

The UFC fight will be open to the public and free to attend. Trump has said there will be seating for around 4,000 people around the octagon, with space for as many as 100,000 more to watch on large screens.

For those not into watching fights, perhaps they would rather watch the World Cup.

"Barcelona, the best club. I love Neymar,” said Maryland soccer fan Tony Granados.

In about two weeks, the National Mall will host a free FIFA World Cup Fan Zone that will include live match watch parties. 

"I can come here for free? You're lying, I don't believe you. What? Yeah, I'm going to pull up. Obviously, I'm going to pull up,” said Granados.

The fan zone will also feature interactive exhibits, food and music. 

"It'll be a chance for Americans to gather and watch the World Cup matches together,” said Julia Fiedland, a representative of Freedom 250.

The fan zone is open to the public and will be open Thursday, June 11, until Sunday, July 19, on the National Mall between 3rd and 4th street. 

The FIFA Fan Zone will open one hour prior to the start of the first match being shown, and will close one hour following the conclusion of the final match being shown.

During the group stage, June 11-27, matches starting after 7:00 PM ET will not be shown; however, all USA games will be shown regardless of time or date. During the round of 16 fixtures and finals, on June 28th and July 19th, all matches will be shown regardless of time. 

On July 4th, the fan zone will be open until midnight. 

• Thurs 6/11 — Event: 2PM–6PM | Match: 3PM
• Fri 6/12 — Event: 2PM–12AM | Matches: 3PM, 9PM USA
• Sat 6/13 — Event: 2PM–9PM | Matches: 3PM, 6PM
• Sun 6/14 — Event: 12PM–10PM | Matches: 1PM, 4PM, 7PM
• Mon 6/15 — Event: 11AM–9PM | Matches: 12PM, 3PM, 6PM
• Tues 6/16 — Event: 2PM–9PM | Matches: 3PM, 6PM
• Sun 6/17 — Event: 12PM–10PM | Matches: 1PM, 4PM, 7PM
• Thurs 6/18 — Event: 11AM–9PM | Matches: 12PM, 3PM, 6PM
• Fri 6/19 — Event: 2PM–9PM | Matches: 3PM USA, 6PM
• Sat 6/20 — Event: 12PM–7PM | Matches: 1PM, 4PM
• Sun 6/21 — Event: 11AM–9PM | Matches: 12PM, 3PM, 6PM
• Mon 6/22 — Event: 12PM–8PM | Matches: 1PM, 5PM
• Tues 6/23 — Event: 12PM–10PM | Matches: 1PM, 4PM, 7PM
• Wed 6/24 — Event: 2PM–9PM | Matches: 3PM, 6PM, 6PM
• Thurs 6/25 — Event: 3PM–1AM | Matches: 4PM, 7PM, 7PM, 10PM, 10PM USA
• Fri 6/26 — Event: 2PM–6PM | Matches: 3PM, 3PM
• Sat 6/27 — Event: 4PM–10:30PM | Matches: 5PM, 5PM, 7:30PM, 7:30PM
• Sun 6/28 — Event: 2PM–6PM | Match: 3PM (Round of 32 begins)
• Mon 6/29 — Event: 12PM–7:30PM | Matches: 1PM, 4:30PM
• Tues 6/30 — Event: 12PM–8PM | Matches: 1PM, 5PM

• Wed 7/1 — Event: 11AM–7PM | Matches: 12PM, 4PM
• Thurs 7/2 — Event: 2PM–10PM | Matches: 3PM, 7PM
• Fri 7/3 — Event: 1PM–9PM | Matches: 2PM, 6PM
• Sat 7/4 — Event: 12PM–8PM | Matches: 1PM, 5PM (Round of 16 begins)
• Sun 7/5 — Event: 3PM–11PM | Matches: 4PM, 8PM
• Mon 7/6 — Event: 2PM–11PM | Matches: 3PM, 8PM
• Tues 7/7 — Event: 11AM–7PM | Matches: 12PM, 4PM
• Wed 7/8 — No matches; event site closed (Quarter-Finals begin)
• Thurs 7/9 — Event: 3PM–7PM | Match: 4PM
• Fri 7/10 — Event: 2PM–6PM | Match: 3PM
• Sat 7/11 — Event: 4PM–12AM | Matches: 5PM, 9PM
• Sun 7/12 — No matches; event site closed
• Mon 7/13 — No matches; event site closed (Semi-Finals begin)
• Tues 7/14 — Event: 2PM–6PM | Match: 3PM
• Wed 7/15 — Event: 2PM–6PM | Match: 3PM
• Thurs 7/16 — No matches; event site closed
• Fri 7/17 — No matches; event site closed
• Sat 7/18 — Event: 4PM–8PM | Match: 5PM (Bronze Final)
• Sun 7/19 — Event: 2PM–6PM | Match: 3PM (Final)