Are the Patriot Games — President Donald Trump’s teen athletic tournament positioned as a highlight of America’s 250th birthday celebrations — still a go?
Trump announced the Patriot Games teen athletic tournament in July 2025, but the White House has been silent on the tournament since that initial announcement — until now.
Here’s the latest information on the Patriot Games, including how teen athletes can qualify.
What Trump just announced about the Patriot Games
Trump and Freedom 250 confirmed the Patriot Games are still happening, and added more details.
Athletes are expected to check in on Aug. 7 and 8, with competition running Aug. 9–11. Freedom 250 describes the Patriot Games as a mix of athletic challenges aimed at testing strength, endurance, agility and teamwork, and showcasing the values it says have shaped generations of Americans.
Where will the Patriot Games be held?
Neither Trump nor Freedom 250 mentioned where the actual Patriot Games tournament will be played. Organizers have said the event is moving forward, but they have not yet announced a host city or venue.
Who can compete in the Patriot Games and how to apply
Applications are now open for athletes ages 14 to 17.
Teens must provide eligibility information and upload a short video about their story and why they want to take part. A Freedom 250 selection committee will review the applications, then move a smaller pool through further screening and verification before picking the finalists.
Teens can apply to the Patriot Games through the 2026 Patriot Games Submission Portal.
The competition will award a $250,000 scholarship prize pool to one male and one female champion.
Transgender teen athletes barred from Patriot Games participation
Although Trump hasn’t announced the selection criteria yet, there are more than seven million high school athletes across the country, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations, meaning a teen would likely need to be a standout athlete for Patriot Games consideration.
Trump, though, made it clear that transgender teen athletes will not be allowed to participate in the Patriot Games in a video message released in December 2025.
“In the fall we will host the first ever Patriot Games, an unprecedented, four-day athletic event featuring the greatest high school athletes,” Trump said during the America250 video message. “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,” Trump added. “You’ll see everything but that.”
Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending, breaking and service-related topics across the Mid-Atlantic region for the USA Today Network.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Patriot Games youth tournament still on, Trump adds dates and details
