The UFC’s upcoming White House event has been designated a Level 1 Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR), placing it in the highest federal security tier.
Set for June 14 on the south lawn of the White House, the card will receive extensive federal interagency support typically reserved for events "with national and/or international importance that require extensive Federal interagency support." Seating at the UFC White House event is limited to invited guests, while fans will be able to watch on big screens at the Ellipse.
The Department of Homeland Security has appointed a Federal Coordination Team for the UFC White House card as a SEAR 1 event. According to the outlined role, this team acts as the "Secretary’s personal representatives for the event, liaises and consults with state and local authorities on their event security and response plans; ensures appropriate and coordinated federal support in response to federal-to-federal, state, and local requests for assistance; and maintains situational awareness of the event throughout the planning and execution phases." DHS notes that its "methodology considers the threat, vulnerability, and consequences for each event."
The Department of Homeland Security uses five SEAR levels to assess special events, and Level 1 is also applied to major events such as the Super Bowl, which can involve measures like explosive detection canine teams, cyber risk assessments, venue screening, and air security. The UFC Fan Fest at the Ellipse on June 13 will also have SEAR 1 level security.
