In a notable scheduling adjustment, France has postponed the 2026 G7 Summit by one day to avoid conflicting with a historic mixed martial arts (MMA) event planned at the White House. The summit, hosted by France in the scenic Alpine town of Évian-les-Bains, was originally set for June 14-16 but will now take place from June 15-17, as confirmed by updates on the official G7 website and reports from multiple sources, including Politico, The Guardian, AFP, and NDTV.

The change stems from U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of a major UFC fight card—dubbed "UFC White House"—scheduled for June 14, 2026, on the South Lawn of the White House. This date coincides with Trump's 80th birthday and U.S. Flag Day. Trump first revealed the event during a speech at Naval Station Norfolk on October 6, 2025, describing it as a "big UFC fight" at the White House grounds. UFC CEO Dana White has since confirmed planning is advanced, with the event expected to feature a massive card (potentially multiple title fights), draw up to 5,000 spectators, and include unique elements like fighters walking from the Oval Office to the Octagon. The card will stream primarily on Paramount+ in the U.S., with select prelims on CBS.

A senior American official told AFP that "our partners believed that President Trump's attendance at the G7 summit was essential," leading to the date shift. French President Emmanuel Macron's office described the adjustment as "the result of consultations with all of our G7 partners," without explicitly mentioning the UFC event, though the timing aligns perfectly with the clash.

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The G7 comprises leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States (with the European Union also participating). France holds the rotating presidency in 2026, marking its first hosting since Biarritz in 2019. The White House UFC event ties into broader celebrations for America's 250th anniversary of independence (America250), though the June date was chosen over an initial July 4 idea due to existing plans.

This unusual intersection of global diplomacy and high-profile sports has sparked widespread commentary, highlighting Trump's close ties with UFC and Dana White. The event promises to be one of the most unique in MMA history, with fighters like potential headliners discussed in media circles.

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