As the celebration of America's 250th birthday continues, the focus turns to student-athletes.
From Sunday, Aug. 9, to Tuesday, Aug. 11, some of the top 14-to 17-year-old student-athletes will compete in the 2026 Patriot Games, part of President Donald Trump’s vision to celebrate the country's birthday.
Families will travel to Ohio to compete in various competitions, with the chance for student-athletes to play for scholarship money.
Here's what you need to know about the 2026 Patriot Games, including how to watch and what events the student-athletes will compete in:
What are the 2026 Patriot Games
Patriot Games — organized by Freedom 250 — is President Donald Trump's vision for America's 250th Anniversary. Details of what competitions the student athletes — ages 14-17 — will
compete in have been sparse, though details are beginning to emerge.
“The 2026 Patriot Games are a national athletic competition celebrating America’s next generation of leaders, competitors and champions as part of our nation’s historic 250th birthday. Student athletes from across the country will compete on a national stage, reaching millions of Americans through ABC and ESPN and competing for $250,000 in scholarships," Freedom 250 Spokesperson Danielle Alvarez told USA TODAY Sports.
"Freedom 250 is proud to bring Americans together through unforgettable signature events — from the Freedom Trucks and July 4 celebrations to the 2026 Patriot Games — that celebrate our country and inspire the next generation.”
When are the 2026 Patriot Games
- Dates: Sunday, Aug. 9, to Tuesday, Aug. 11
The 2026 Patriot Games are scheduled Sunday, Aug. 9 to Tuesday, Aug. 11. Across the three days, 120 student-athletes will compete in various competitions with a chance to win from a scholarship pool.
How to watch 2026 the Patriot Games
- Streaming: ESPN App
The 2026 Patriot Games can be streamed live on the ESPN App from Aug. 9-11. An additional post-event special will air on Thursday, Aug. 13, on ABC.
ESPN has announced a lineup of Laura Rutledge, Matt Barrie, Beth Mowins and Tom Hart for coverage of the games.
What events are in the 2026 Patriot Games
Boys and girls will participate in various activities, including track-and-field events (100-meter dash, 55-meter hurdles and the broad jump), obstacle course challenges, tug-of-war, kickball, dodgeball, Pop-A-Shot (basketball shooting) and other skills drawn from baseball, football, soccer, tennis and volleyball.
Here is the lineup, via the ESPN app, of what the schedule will look like for the three days of competition. All times are ET and subject to change.
Sunday, Aug. 9:
- 10 a.m. - Boys Presidential Qualifier
- 1 p.m. - Girls Presidential Qualifier
- 3 p.m. - Boys Dodgeball
- 4 p.m. - Boys Kickball
- 6 p.m. - Girls Dodgeball
- 7 p.m. - Girls Kickball
Monday, Aug. 10:
- 11 a.m. - Boys Varsity Circuit
- 11 a.m. - Boys Operation Endurance
- 2 p.m. - Girls Varsity Circuit
- 2 p.m. - Girls Operation Endurance
Tuesday, Aug. 11:
- 9 a.m. - Tug of War (Boys & Girls)
- 10 a.m. - Pop A Shot (Boys & Girls)
- 5 p.m. - Semifinal, Final & Closing
Who is participating in the 2026 Patriot Games
The 2026 Patriot Games is aimed to aid 120 student athletes, ages 14-17, from across the United States, its territories, US military bases and tribal nations. These 120 athletes will compete on the national stage while competing for a $250,000 scholarship pool, awarded to winners.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Details on the 2026 Patriot Games are sparse. Here's everything we know
