Last Saturday, UFC 306: Noche UFC put on a once-in-a-lifetime show from Sphere in Las Vegas, exclusively on ESPN+ PPV.
The iconic venue’s first-ever live sporting competition featured two championship fights and was held in advance of Mexican Independence Day, honoring and celebrating Mexico’s many extraordinary contributions and accomplishments across combat sports.
“ESPN covers big events and stories unlike any other — it’s part of our DNA,” Matt Kenny, ESPN VP of Programming & Acquisitions, said.
Kenny added that “UFC 306: Noche UFC is the latest example of incredible collaboration across the organization to support this one-of-a-kind event from an iconic venue.”
The event was a massive success. It sold out with 16,024 people in attendance and set records for UFC’s live gate ($22 million) and merchandise sold.
“ESPN Deportes continues to build on the success of Noche UFC, now in its second year, as part of our unwavering commitment to delivering premier combat sports content to our US Hispanic audience,” Leonardo Penagos, ESPN Sr. Manager, Programming & Acquisitions, said.
Here are some of the highlights from the historic and one-of-a-kind event and how it all tied together across The Walt Disney Company:
An inside look at ESPN’s on-site studio shows, part of the 100+ hours of UFC content across ESPN’s linear platforms.
Ahead of #UFC306 Noche UFC, Sr. Production Coordinator Cheyenne Leeman takes ESPN PR through a day in her life to learn how ESPN’s production team brings fans inside all the action from the historic fight week in Las Vegas pic.twitter.com/TYqOQh9fr2
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) September 14, 2024
UFC stars appeared across ESPN’s signature studio show lineup, including UFC CEO Dana White on ESPN’s First Take.
.@DanaWhite says Noche UFC will be “where sports and entertainment truly come together for the first time ever.” 👀
“The Sphere is the star.” pic.twitter.com/VXDed7kF15
— First Take (@FirstTake) September 9, 2024
Here’s how @ESPNMMA social connected fans with their favorite fighters in brand new ways.
ESPN Social teammates Arthur Puu & Vicente Bonilla share @espnmma’s content approach ahead of the historic #UFC306 Noche UFC in Las Vegas pic.twitter.com/9SPyuZh9e5
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) September 14, 2024
And all of it culminating with the main card exclusively on ESPN+ PPV in English and Spanish and the prelims available on ESPN+, ESPNEWS and ESPN Deportes.
#NOCHEUFC FROM INSIDE SPHERE 🔥
Stream #UFC306 LIVE on ESPN+ PPV ➡️ https://t.co/IYNft6nCBl pic.twitter.com/zUhJDmNLna
— ESPN (@espn) September 14, 2024