President Trump to attend Indiana vs Miami CFP national championship
President Trump to attend Indiana vs Miami CFP national championshipJohn Leuzzi, USA TODAY NETWORKThu, January 15, 2026 at 11:16 PM UTC·1 min read
The biggest college football game of the season has arrived with Indiana and Miami meeting in the College Football Playoff national championship, and it will have the president of the United States in attendance.
President Donald Trump will be traveling to Hard Rock Stadium on Monday, Jan. 19 to watch Fernando Mendoza and the Hoosiers take on Carson Beck and the Hurricanes in the 2026 CFP championship. The news was confirmed to USA TODAY by the White House.
Trump's appearance at the national championship game was 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.
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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 in attendance for the Army-Navy Game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore for the Midshipmen's win over the Black Knights.
Monday's title game will be Trump's first CFP game since he attended LSU's win over Clemson in the 2019 season CFP championship in New Orleans, where Joe Burrow threw five touchdowns and for 463 yards. It will be the third overall national championship that Trump will have attended while in office.
Indiana is 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 against Nebraska.
Navy Midshipmen color guard presents the colors during the March On before the game.Army West Point Black Knights walk in formation during the March On before the game.Navy Midshipmen stand in formation before the game.A view of the field in Baltimore prior to the game.A detailed view of Navy ribbons.Navy Midshipmen react before the game.The Navy Mascot “Bill The Goat” stands on the field.Navy Midshipmen spirit team cheers during the March On before the game.Navy Midshipmen stand in formation during the March On before the game.Army West Point Black Knights stand in formation in front of the color guard.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.
1 / 122025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantryNavy Midshipmen color guard presents the colors during the March On before the game.1 / 122025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantryNavy Midshipmen color guard presents the colors during the March On before the game.3 / 122025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantryArmy West Point Black Knights walk in formation during the March On before the game.4 / 122025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantryNavy Midshipmen stand in formation before the game.5 / 122025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantryA view of the field in Baltimore prior to the game.6 / 122025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantryA detailed view of Navy ribbons.7 / 122025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantryNavy Midshipmen react before the game.8 / 122025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantryThe Navy Mascot “Bill The Goat” stands on the field.9 / 122025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantryNavy Midshipmen spirit team cheers during the March On before the game.10 / 122025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantryNavy Midshipmen stand in formation during the March On before the game.11 / 122025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantryArmy West Point Black Knights stand in formation in front of the color guard.12 / 122025 Army-Navy football game features Donald Trump, all the pageantryU.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.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump to attend Indiana-Miami CFP national championship
