Because the UFC prepares for an formidable yr forward with a brand new broadcast deal on the horizon, the corporate can be beginning to enterprise away from the UFC APEX for an increasing number of reveals transferring ahead.
On Wednesday throughout a monetary name with buyers, TKO Group Holdings chief monetary officer Andrew Schleimer revealed plans for the UFC to hit extra worldwide areas in 2025 whereas advising that the general revenue margin adjustments for these occasions due to price management on the UFC APEX. Whereas the promotion has by no means detailed precisely how a lot price goes into an APEX occasion, the UFC spends far much less cash placing on these reveals than touring to areas throughout the U.S. and internationally.
“In 2025, we count on to carry fewer occasions at APEX in Las Vegas,” Schleimer mentioned in a ready assertion. “Whereas the calendar for the total yr isn’t finalized, we anticipated to host a better variety of worldwide occasions as in comparison with 2024. Whereas these occasions are anticipated to end in elevated income, they’ve a decrease margin profile as in comparison with APEX occasions.”
The UFC initially began holding occasions on the APEX through the international pandemic with the promotion utilizing the in-house facility as a strategy to showcase fights with out risking potential COVID outbreaks. Even after the pandemic ended, the UFC continued holding occasions on the APEX as a result of the prices concerned have been a lot decrease, particularly with a full manufacturing facility inside the identical constructing in Las Vegas.
Later within the name, Schleimer particularly talked about that three UFC APEX occasions could be shifting to worldwide areas in 2025, though he didn’t say the place these playing cards may find yourself.
The UFC has already began increasing into extra worldwide areas after putting a take care of Saudi Arabia to carry occasions there with two playing cards already taking place in 2024 and 2025. That relationship is predicted to proceed transferring ahead this yr.
Along with the UFC Battle Evening occasions, that are the one playing cards held at APEX, the promotion additionally not too long ago introduced plans to return to Montreal for the primary time in a number of years with UFC 315 scheduled there in Could.
The total slate of occasions for UFC hasn’t been introduced but however as the corporate continues negotiations on a brand new broadcast rights deal that kicks off in 2026, it’s attainable the entire variety of playing cards in 2025 and 2026 might enhance in comparison with earlier years.
