The UFC is hosting the first-ever live sporting event at the $2.3 billion Las Vegas Sphere this weekend. Here's everything you need to know 👇 1. The UFC budgeted $8 million for this event but ended up spending more than $20 million (more on this later). That's 10x more than the $2 million the UFC typically spends on a premium pay-per-view event. 2. The UFC has a multi-year, exclusive contract with MGM that requires it to hold all of its Las Vegas-based events at the local T-Mobile Arena. However, after MGM gave away Mexican Independence Day to Canelo Alvarez, Dana White convinced them to make an exception and allow the UFC to do the Sphere. 3. The get-in price is currently $800 on the secondary market, with floor seats selling for $2,500 to $30,000+. 4. Dana White says this will be the biggest gate in UFC history, with an estimated gate of $21 million. That would be $4 million more than the current record of $17 million for UFC 205, a card headlined by Conor McGregor vs. Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight title. 5. To offset the production costs, the UFC secured sponsorship from Saudi Arabia (as part of the country's entertainment and sports festival, Riyadh Season). Sponsorship deliverables include: • Fixed watermark throughout the broadcast • In-octagon sponsor integration • Shoutouts from the commentators • Inclusion in all event marketing materials • Collaboration with the UFC on original content 6. The UFC will send force feedback through the Sphere's haptic seats, enabling fans to feel the action in the octagon and from the on-screen production. 7. The UFC worked with a 300-person creative team, including award-winning directors and producers, to create a film called "For Mexico, For All Time." This film is a tribute to Mexico's contributions to combat sports and will play throughout the night, with 90-second clips leading fans into each fight. 8. The UFC had to build a custom lighting system inside the Sphere because hanging standard lights or installing a jumbotron would have blocked the screen. 9. The UFC will use 45 cameras, more than double the 20 cameras typically needed for a UFC PPV event. 10. Dana White and the UFC have been recording the entire production process and will release it as a behind-the-scenes documentary. ** If you enjoy learning about the business and money behind sports, join 125,000+ others who read my newsletter by signing up through the link in my bio.