2026 Republican National Convention
 American Airlines Center, planned venue | |
| Convention | |
|---|---|
| Dates | September 9–10, 2026 |
| City | Dallas, Texas |
| Venue | American Airlines Center |
A midterm Republican National Convention is scheduled to be held from September 9 to 10, 2026 prior to the 2026 United States midterm elections, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.[1][2]
Planning and scheduling
In March 2026, The New York Times reported that president Donald Trump and the Republican National Committee had examined Dallas as the convention's possible host city.[3] Trump had already been, for some time, exploring the possibility of a midterm convention for the Republican Party. At the January 2026 winter meeting of the Republican National Committee, the party's procedures for national conventions were amended to permit a midterm convention.[4] Also in March 2026, Democrats (who had been mulling a midterm convention of their own) ruled out the possibility of holding their own midterm convention.[5]
While large national party conventions in the years of presidential elections are a quadrennial tradition, it is uncommon for a similar event to be held by either of the two major parties in other years. A historic parallel is that the Democratic Party had held several large midterm-year party conferences in the 1970s and 1980s.[4] An unofficial nickname for the event that has received some traction has been "Trump-a-palooza".[6]
In June 2026, Texas attorney general Ken Paxton announced that a Republican National Convention would be held in Dallas in September.[7] Trump announced that it would be held September 9 and 10.[4] The convention is planned to be held for two hours each evening.[8] The timing of the convention places it counter to the broadcast of the first two NFL games of the 2026 NFL season, to be played on the same evenings.[6][9]
White House aide John Hiller was made the CEO of the convention's organizing board.[6]
Logistics
The convention is planned to bring approximately 20,000 visitors to Dallas.[10]
The U.S. Secret Service is involved in security preparations,[10] along with the Dallas Police Department, Dallas Fire-Rescue, and DART Police.[11] Dallas will activate its emergency operations center to coordinate security operations.[12] The city of Dallas expects to spend nearly $2 million in city funds towards security and other logistics related to the convention. $1.8 million is to be spent on paying city police officers to provide security, and $14,000 is expected to be spent by the Department of Transportation and Public Works. Other units of the city government, such as the Dallas Fire-Rescue, are also expected to spend amounts towards convention logistics.[13] Dallas police have promised that there will be designated areas for protests.[14]
Security measures, such as temporary fencing and barriers surrounding the arena, will begin being put in place on September 4.[10] Road closures on Victory, Houston, Nowitzki, Payne, and Field Streets will be put in place September 7 through September 11.[14] The Victory station will be closed September through September 10.[11] There will also be flight restrictions around Downtown Dallas.[14]
Reporting has indicated that incumbent Republican lawmakers have been asked to pay $25,000 for the opportunity to attend the convention.[6]
Speakers and themes
Trump is set to appear during both nights of the convention. Vice President JD Vance will deliver a headlining speech on the first evening, and Trump will deliver a headlining speech on the second evening.[8]
Outlined plans are for the convention to highlight candidates and issues the issues the Republican Party will argue are shaping the midterm elections. The first evening is announced to include segments focused on tax cuts, healthcare affordability, the border, trade and domestic manufacturing. "Workers and everyday Americans" are advertised to make appearances on the first evening. The second evening is set to argue that American families have benefited from Trump policies, and will highlight "no tax on tips", overtime pay, and Social Security policies. The convention will also feature segments on overseas prisoners who have been released, border security, policies on prescription drug costs, as well as a tribute to the assassinated activist Charlie Kirk and a segment on the coming 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.[8]
References
- ↑ Johansen, Ben (September 16, 2025). "Trump says the GOP will hold a midterm convention". Politico. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ↑ "Trump announces first-ever Republican midterm convention in Dallas ahead of 2026 elections". CBS News. June 30, 2026. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
- ↑ Goldmacher, Shane (March 24, 2026). "Trump and R.N.C. Lean Toward Dallas for an Unusual Midterm Convention". The New York Times. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Kinnard, Meg (June 30, 2026). "Trump announces Republican midterm convention in Dallas in September". PBS. The Associated Press. Retrieved August 30, 2026.
- ↑ Schneider, Elena (May 2, 2026). "DNC scraps midterm convention plans". Politico. Retrieved August 30, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Mueller, Julia; Huiskes, Helen. "Republicans ready for "very hasty" 'Trump-a-palooza' convention in Texas". The Hill. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
- ↑ Birenbaum, Gabby (June 16, 2026). "First-of-its-kind GOP midterm convention coming to Dallas in September, Paxton says". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Trump and Vance will keynote the Republicans' midterm convention in Texas next month". AP News. August 25, 2026. Retrieved August 30, 2026.
- ↑ Isenstadt, Alex (August 28, 2026). "GOP convention will have to compete with NFL openers for attention". Axios. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Miller, Shannon (August 27, 2026). "What security will look like around the RNC convention in Dallas". NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
- 1 2 Peña, Pablo Arauz (August 28, 2026). "Expect road closures, enhanced security in downtown Dallas during GOP convention". KERA News. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
- ↑ Rogers, Chase (August 28, 2026). "Who is securing Trump's Dallas convention?". Dallas News. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
- ↑ Duke, Dylan (August 25, 2026). "Dallas to pay nearly $2 million on security for Republican midterm convention". Houston Public Media. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Miles, J. D. (August 27, 2026). "Dallas outlines security plans for GOP midterm convention". CBS News Texas. Retrieved August 31, 2026.