The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has announced its return to Azerbaijan. UFC Fight Night Baku is scheduled for June 27, marking the beginning of a new multi-year agreement that will bring one Fight Night event to Baku annually until 2028. The event will take place at the National Gymnastics Arena, following the promotion’s inaugural visit to the city in June 2025.
This agreement was established in collaboration with Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Baku City Circuit Operations Company. It solidifies Baku as a regular annual stop for the UFC in the region.
This return occurs less than a year after UFC’s initial event in Azerbaijan. The first UFC Baku card in June 2025, held at Baku Crystal Hall, drew a capacity crowd of over 14,000 fans. The success of this debut event is believed to have influenced the decision to extend the partnership, with UFC President and CEO Dana White and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Farid Gayibov, discussing the positive reception before committing to the expansion.
A key difference for the 2026 event is the venue. While the 2025 event was held at Baku Crystal Hall, the upcoming June 27 event is slated for the National Gymnastics Arena. This venue change is notable, as earlier listings had indicated Baku Crystal Hall for the event.
UFC highlighted strong fan demand in the market, while Baku City Circuit noted an increase in regional interest and inbound tourism in anticipation of this year’s event. Azerbaijani officials view this deal as integral to their strategy of positioning Baku as a prominent host city for major international sporting events.
Fight card details for the June 27 event have not yet been released. Fans are encouraged to register their interest on the UFC’s Baku event page to receive updates and early access to tickets. Further event news is expected as the fight week approaches.
For the UFC, this deal provides another consistent international location as it continues to broaden its global presence. For Azerbaijan, Baku will transition from a one-time host to a recurring destination, with the city set to host UFC Fight Nights annually through 2028 under the new agreement.
