Teen Athletes Compete in First Trump-Backed Patriot Games in Ohio with $250,000 Scholarships
The inaugural Patriot Games, a youth sports competition linked to the United States' 250th anniversary, will be held in Geneva, Ohio from Sunday to Tuesday and broadcast on ESPN, offering a $250,000 scholarship fund for two winners.
Teenagers from every state, as well as participants from tribal nations and U.S. territories, will travel to Geneva, Ohio for the first Patriot Games, a multi-day youth sports event scheduled for Sunday through Tuesday. The competition, announced by President Donald Trump in December as part of the nation’s 250th-birthday celebrations, will be televised on ESPN, with live coverage beginning at 9 a.m. ET on Sunday.
Each state is expected to send one male and one female competitor aged 14 to 17. The schedule includes a “Presidential Qualifier” on Sunday, followed by dodgeball, kickball, and unnamed events labeled “Varsity Circuit” and “Operation Endurance” on Monday. Tuesday’s program features tug-of-war, a pop-a-shot basketball challenge, and an obstacle course designed to test strategy and skill. ESPN’s release said the athletes will be evaluated on skills from the Presidential Fitness Test and a military-inspired boot-camp circuit, with elements drawn from football, basketball, soccer, track and other sports.
Two scholarships totaling $250,000 will be awarded to the event’s top performers. A one-hour recap special will air on ESPN and ABC on Thursday night. The White House has not confirmed whether President Trump will attend the games.