Will your teen be selected for Patriot Games? What we know
Could your teen athlete qualify for the Patriot Games?
In announcing the Patriot Games as part of the country's 250th anniversary celebration next year, President Donald Trump said the competition will feature the top two teen athletes from each state.
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The Patriot Games tournament is one of several events planned around the celebration of America's 250th birthday.
Here's what we know about Trump's Patriot Games announcement.
Who is competing in the Patriot Games?
President Donald Trump didn't provide much info on the exact format of the Patriot Games, or how athletes will be selected. Also not mentioned is whether student grades or ages will be factored into the decision-making process.
He described it as four-day competition to be held in the fall of 2026.
The Trump administration might consult with state high school athletic agencies and other organizations to coordinate the selection process.
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Also unknown at this point is which sports will be included in Patriot Games 2026, or what the award structure would look like.
There are more than seven million teen athletes across the country, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations, meaning your teen would most likely need to be a gifted standout athlete for Patriot Games consideration.
According to the federation's data, New Jersey had roughly 272,000 student athletes in 2023; Pennsylvania had more than 316,000; Delaware had nearly 26,000.
Donald Trump announces Patriot Games; transgender teens won't participate
President Donald Trump revealed the Patriot Games tournament during a video message released on Thursday, Dec. 18, and made clear transgender teen athletes will not be invited.
"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.
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"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."
Who is organizing Patriot Games?
Freedom 250 will administer and oversee the Patriot Games tournament in cooperation with America250, the years-long initiative to celebrate the country's 250 years of history.
Freedom 250 is inteneded to offer more ways for people to participate in the dozens of events surrounding America's 250th birthday.
Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Will your high schooler be picked to play in Trump's Patriot Games?