The UFC will continue to hold regular Fight Night events at its Apex facility in Las Vegas in 2024.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Apex served as the UFC’s base of operations in North America. Now that the pandemic is over and other sports have resumed in arenas worldwide, the UFC is still holding events in relatively small studio spaces.
For some fans hoping the UFC would return in 2024, the news might be disappointing. MMA Junkie Nolan King reports that the promotion will host three Apex events in four weeks on March 16th, March 23rd, and April 6th.
Why does the UFC refuse to go back to hosting fight nights in smaller markets across the United States and beyond? The obvious answers are ease and cost. There’s less pressure on matchmakers to stack cards because they don’t have to worry about selling out arenas in smaller markets. Additionally, fans seem receptive to seeing fights at Apex.
Another factor at play is the UFC’s diligent approach to collecting venue fees every time it hosts a show. At a recent conference event, TKO Chief Operating Officer Mark Shapiro mentioned recent transactions of this type, including $16 million from Australia, $20 million from Saudi Arabia, and $25 million from Abu Dhabi.
As for live event venue fees, he said he had a $16 million deal for a “combination of events” in Australia, which likely includes WWE’s Elimination Chamber event in Perth in February. I think that the.
$20 million for UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia.
$25 million for UFC event in Abu Dhabi.
WWE also… pic.twitter.com/kGEWdQ2kEi
— Brandon Thurston (@Brandonhurston) December 5, 2023
It’s not just an international event. Utah pays for UFC Coming to Salt Lake City, a lucrative deal with the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas ensures that the UFC will return to Salt Lake City on a regular basis. At this point, we would be shocked if the UFC entered the mid-market without a six- or seven-figure contract.
Get ready for more Apex events. If there are no buyers lined up at the show, it will probably be held there.
