Trump unveils 'Patriot Games' for 2026 to mark 250th birthday

President Donald Trump unveiled plans for a 2026 celebration of the United States' 250th birthday that include a four-day "Patriot Games" featuring one high school athlete from each state and territory, as part of a broader slate labeled "Freedom 250."

Trump said the games would be an unprecedented four-day athletic event featuring the greatest high school athletes: one young man and one young woman from each state and territory. "But I promise there will be no men playing in women's sports. You're not going to see that." The White House described Freedom 250 as "a national, non-partisan organization leading the Administration's celebration of America's 250th birthday," according to its website.

The slate for next year also includes a Spirit of America parade honoring fallen soldiers, a Birthday Fireworks Celebration on the National Mall, and a Great American State Fair with exhibits from all 50 states. The events are planned to run from June 25 to July 10, with additional programs under the Freedom 250 umbrella as organizers seek to frame the anniversary in broad cultural terms.

Trump announced a UFC fight on the White House South Lawn for June 14, a date that doubles as Flag Day and the former president’s 80th birthday. Officials said hosting a sporting event at the White House would mark the first time the executive mansion has staged such a match.

To accompany the celebration, the White House has begun releasing a video series called the Story of America, produced in partnership with Hillsdale College, a Michigan-based conservative, Christian liberal arts college. The administration is also conducting a review of the Smithsonian Institution, ordering it to celebrate American exceptionalism and remove narratives deemed partisan or divisive.

"All of this is just the beginning," Trump said Thursday, adding that 2026 will be "a celebration of America like no other, honoring our nation and all of its glory."

The planning effort is being led by Freedom 250, described on its website as a national, non-partisan organization bringing together citizens, organizations, companies and leaders to honor the nation’s history and freedoms while laying groundwork for the next 250 years. The administration’s push also includes calls for a major national prayer gathering on the National Mall and a broader invitation for Americans to participate in weekly prayer across spiritual communities. The White House has invited large-scale participation, including a push for as many as one million Americans to dedicate an hour each week to prayer, with groups encouraged to meet in small gatherings of at least 10 people.

Organizational backers listed range from Christian and Catholic groups to several conservative organizations, including 40 Days for Life and WallBuilders, along with figures tied to the president’s broader political operation, such as Alex Bruesewitz, who helped shape Trump’s 2024 campaign social media strategy. The arrangement signals an emphasis on faith-centered and conservative-leaning partnerships as part of the nationwide celebration.

Officials emphasized that the Patriot Games and other components of the Freedom 250 program are in early planning stages and could evolve as agencies coordinate with the White House to implement priorities for 2026. The plan underscores the administration’s intent to anchor the anniversary in ceremonial, cultural and religious elements while projecting a narrative of national unity during a period of political polarization.