On December 18, 2025, President Donald Trump announced plans for a new national athletic competition, the Patriot Games, a four-day event scheduled for the fall of 2026. The competition is intended to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary and will feature teenage athletes from across the country. According to the announcement, each state and territory will send one male and one female athlete to compete in a nationally televised event. 

Trump revealed the plan in an America250 video message, describing the competition as a celebration of patriotism and athletic excellence.

  “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. “One young man and one young woman from each state and territory.” 

Trump also emphasized restrictions on participation.

“I promise there will be no men playing in women’s sports,” Trump said. “You’re not going to see that.”

The event, being promoted as a national celebration, sparked comparisons to The Hunger Games, which is a dystopian novel series by Suzanne Collins in which the government hosts a nationally televised competition as a form of distraction and control. Online, some have pointed out the similarities between The Hunger Games and The Patriot Games with themes of spectacles, nationalism, and entertainment. 

“It’s kind of pointless, how we’re creating more things for the appeal of the public.” Freshman Alba Allen said.

   While other students find the idea entertaining.

“I would love to be part of the games, and I think Trump should definitely choose me because I’m the perfect candidate.” Freshman Liam Pishke said.