Photo: Alamy
As part of America’s 250th anniversary celebration, countless young American athletes will head to a national athletic competition, the “2026 Patriot Games,” to prove their physical prowess and make their nation proud.
The games will consist of male and female high school students from across the country, according to Freedom 250, and “compete in a series of high-intensity challenges designed to test strength, speed, agility, teamwork, resilience, and leadership.”
The competition will take place between August 9 and August 11. The finale is scheduled for August 13. According to Freedom 250, the multiple rounds of competitions will be streamed on the ESPN App, and the finale will be broadcast on ESPN-ABC for a one-hour special.
“The 2026 Patriot Games are here! A national competition celebrating America’s next generation of leaders, competitors and champions,” said Bruce Pearl, a former American basketball coach and current sports broadcaster, in a video statement.
Each champion, the Freedom 250 task force said, will receive $125,000 in scholarship funding. Contestants must be between 14 and 17 years old, have good academic standing, and be a resident of the U.S., territory, or tribal nation. The total prize pool is $250,000.
The epic athletic competition is just part of the many celebratory events that have been spearheaded by the Trump administration. From the “Great American State Fair” at the National Mall to an epic “Salute to America” fireworks show on July 4th, President Trump has pulled out all the stops to highlight the nation’s special birthday.
According to Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry (R), the deadline to apply for the games is July 10. Students must submit a short video telling their “story and why they want to compete.”
“The 2026 Patriot Games are part of a broader series of signature events taking place across the country as Americans come together to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday and inspire the next generation to help write the next chapter of the American story,” the site read.
Students may apply to be considered to participate in the competition here.