PresidentDonald Trumpwill be traveling to Hard Rock Stadium on Monday, Jan. 19 to watchFernando Mendozaand the Hoosiers take onCarson Beckand theHurricanesin the 2026 CFP championship. The news was confirmed to USA TODAY by the White House.
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Trump's appearance at the national championship gamewas first reported by Axios on Wednesday, Jan. 14. The White House did not confirm Secretary of State Marco Rubio's appearance on Monday in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Trump has frequently attended sporting events, and even has attended several College Football Playoff games over the years, both in and out of office. He was most recently inattendance for the Army-Navy Gameat M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore for theMidshipmen's win over the Black Knights.
Monday's title game will be Trump's first CFP game since he attendedLSU's win over Clemson in the 2019 season CFP championship in New Orleans, whereJoe Burrowthrew five touchdowns and for 463 yards. It will be the third overall national championship that Trump will have attended while in office.
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Indianais looking to cap off one of the more remarkable turnarounds in college football history with the program's first national championship, while Miami is aiming to snap its 25-year drought for a national title; the Hurricanes haven't won since dominating the 2002 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) title game againstNebraska.
Navy Midshipmen color guard presents the colors during the March On before the game.
(Tommy Gilligan, Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images)
U.S. President Donald Trump (2nd-L) walks onto the field for the 126th Army-Navy Game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen at M&T Bank Stadium on December 13, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. The teams are competing for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, with President Trump attending the rivalry for the second consecutive year.
(Tasos Katopodis, Getty Images)
Army West Point Black Knights walk in formation during the March On before the game.
(Tommy Gilligan, Imagn Images)
Navy Midshipmen stand in formation before the game.
(Mike Dinovo, Imagn Images)
A view of the field in Baltimore prior to the game.
(Danny Wild, Imagn Images)
A detailed view of Navy ribbons.
(Mike Dinovo, Imagn Images)
Navy Midshipmen react before the game.
(Mike Dinovo, Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images)
The Navy Mascot “Bill The Goat” stands on the field.
(Mike Dinovo, Imagn Images)
Navy Midshipmen spirit team cheers during the March On before the game.
(Tommy Gilligan, Imagn Images)
Navy Midshipmen stand in formation during the March On before the game.
(Tommy Gilligan, Imagn Images)
Army West Point Black Knights stand in formation in front of the color guard.
(Tommy Gilligan, Imagn Images)
U.S. President Donald Trump (2nd-L) walks onto the field for the 126th Army-Navy Game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen at M&T Bank Stadium on December 13, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. The teams are competing for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, with President Trump attending the rivalry for the second consecutive year.
(Tasos Katopodis, Getty Images)
1/12
2025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantry
Navy Midshipmen color guard presents the colors during the March On before the game.
(Tommy Gilligan, Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images)
1/12
2025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantry
Navy Midshipmen color guard presents the colors during the March On before the game.
(Tommy Gilligan, Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images)
2/12
2025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantry
U.S. President Donald Trump (2nd-L) walks onto the field for the 126th Army-Navy Game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen at M&T Bank Stadium on December 13, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. The teams are competing for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, with President Trump attending the rivalry for the second consecutive year.
(Tasos Katopodis, Getty Images)
3/12
2025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantry
Army West Point Black Knights walk in formation during the March On before the game.
(Tommy Gilligan, Imagn Images)
4/12
2025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantry
Navy Midshipmen stand in formation before the game.
(Mike Dinovo, Imagn Images)
5/12
2025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantry
A view of the field in Baltimore prior to the game.
(Danny Wild, Imagn Images)
6/12
2025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantry
A detailed view of Navy ribbons.
(Mike Dinovo, Imagn Images)
7/12
2025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantry
Navy Midshipmen react before the game.
(Mike Dinovo, Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images)
8/12
2025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantry
The Navy Mascot “Bill The Goat” stands on the field.
(Mike Dinovo, Imagn Images)
9/12
2025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantry
Navy Midshipmen spirit team cheers during the March On before the game.
(Tommy Gilligan, Imagn Images)
10/12
2025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantry
Navy Midshipmen stand in formation during the March On before the game.
(Tommy Gilligan, Imagn Images)
11/12
2025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantry
Army West Point Black Knights stand in formation in front of the color guard.
(Tommy Gilligan, Imagn Images)
12/12
2025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantry
U.S. President Donald Trump (2nd-L) walks onto the field for the 126th Army-Navy Game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen at M&T Bank Stadium on December 13, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. The teams are competing for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, with President Trump attending the rivalry for the second consecutive year.
