Vice President JD Vance is expected to headline opening night.
Axios reports that Vance is expected to deliver the principal evening speech, with policy testimonials and administration figures contributing to a campaign-focused program.
Upcoming
Guide updated
2026 Republican Midterm Convention
September 09–102026
Dallas, Texas American Airlines Center
A practical guide to the first Republican midterm convention: two nights in Dallas, a national campaign stage, GOP ticket requests and a direct connection to Michigan’s U.S. Senate race.
The direct answer
A national campaign convention—not a nominating convention.
The Republican National Committee will gather supporters, candidates and national figures at American Airlines Center in Dallas on September 9–10, eight weeks before the November 3 midterm election.
This is a special ceremonial convention created under RNC Rule 13(b). The rule expressly says no party business will be conducted. There will be no presidential nomination, platform adoption or traditional delegate vote. The event is instead designed as a two-night rally, candidate showcase, fundraising opportunity and national television message.
- Dates
- Wednesday–Thursday, September 9–10, 2026
- Venue
- American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas, Texas
- Organizer
- Republican National Committee
- Format
- Special ceremonial convention and campaign event
- Tickets
- Public requests are open; submitting a request does not guarantee an allocation
- Election
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Nopresidential nomination vote
Nonational platform adoption
Noofficial party business
Notraditional elected voting delegates
What is planned
Two prime-time nights built for a national audience.
Program status: The RNC has not released a complete speaker list, daily schedule or start times. The details below are reported plans and may change.
President Donald Trump is expected to deliver the closing address.
Trump is expected in the convention hall on both nights and is scheduled to close the gathering with the event’s principal address on Thursday.
- A campaign case contrasting the Republican agenda with the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.
- Republican candidates and elected leaders presented to a national audience.
- Testimonials focused on taxes, prescription-drug costs, public safety and border policy.
- Expected speaking roles for senior administration officials, along with entertainment and cultural figures.
- A focus on policy achievements that Republicans want to carry into the final eight weeks of the campaign.
- A commemoration marking one year since the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
The campaign room
One arena. Two nights. Eight weeks to Election Day.
The Michigan connection
Michigan is likely to be part of the national argument from the stage.
The Dallas convention is not a Michigan party meeting, but Michigan’s U.S. Senate contest is expected to figure in the message Republicans build for the country.
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01
Abdul El-Sayed is expected to be a recurring convention target. Axios reported on August 14 that Republican organizers plan to make Michigan’s Democratic U.S. Senate nominee and progressive streamer Hasan Piker focal points of the Dallas program.
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02
Mike Rogers reportedly plans to attend. Axios reported on July 29 that Michigan’s Republican U.S. Senate nominee was among the competitive-state candidates planning to be in Dallas.
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03
The convention can nationalize Michigan’s contrast. With El-Sayed’s policy record positioned inside a broader argument about the Democratic left, the convention may extend the ideological contest examined in our analysis of socialism in Michigan’s 2026 Democratic primaries. Material developed in Dallas may quickly appear in Michigan messaging, advertising and earned media.
GOP ticket requests are open.
The official form accepts requests for September 9, September 10 or both days, with up to six general seated tickets per entry. Every attendee must register individually, and a request or credential does not guarantee entry if capacity is reached.
Plan the trip
Ticket request, travel and security basics.
Use the RNC’s event-specific email instructions as the final authority. Presidential-event security requirements may be stricter than the arena’s everyday policies.
Before requesting tickets
General seated tickets are separate from state-party “honorary delegate” fundraising packages. The public form currently does not list a price.
- Select September 9, September 10 or both convention days.
- Request between one and six general seated tickets.
- Supply a separate name, email address and phone number for every attendee requested.
- Wait for an official confirmation and further instructions by email.
- Plan for each attendee to appear in person and register the credential.
At American Airlines Center
The arena is at 2500 Victory Avenue in Dallas’s Victory Park district. Verify the final entrance, credential pickup, parking and transit instructions when the RNC releases them.
- The arena’s standard policy allows small wallets, wristlets and clutches up to 4.5 by 6.5 inches at all entrances.
- Larger permitted purses are routed through designated X-ray entrances; backpacks and large totes are normally prohibited.
- All guests are subject to screening and inspection.
- Convention-specific security rules may replace normal arena guidance.
Do not rely on ordinary event rules alone. Bring only what the final RNC and security instructions expressly permit.
Information status
What is confirmed—and what is still coming.
Last reviewed August 16, 2026. This guide will need a final update when the RNC releases the full schedule and security plan.
Confirmed
- September 9–10 at American Airlines Center in Dallas.
- Special ceremonial format with no party business.
- Public ticket-request path for one or both days.
- President Trump is the convention’s central political figure.
Not yet finalized publicly
- Complete speaker and entertainment lineup.
- Daily opening, closing and credential-pickup times.
- Event-specific Secret Service and arena rules.
- Livestream and broadcast details.
Frequently asked questions
Republican Midterm Convention FAQ
Is the 2026 Republican Midterm Convention a presidential nominating convention?
No. It is a special ceremonial convention between presidential conventions. RNC Rule 13(b) states that no party business will be conducted. There is no presidential nomination vote or platform adoption scheduled.
Where and when is the convention?
The convention is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, and Thursday, September 10, 2026, at American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas, Texas.
Can the public request tickets?
Yes. The RNC’s official ticket form currently accepts requests for either day or both days and allows up to six general seated tickets. A request does not guarantee an allocation, and a credential does not guarantee arena entry if capacity is reached.
Who is expected to speak?
President Donald Trump is expected to close the convention on September 10, and Vice President JD Vance is expected to deliver the principal speech on September 9, according to Axios. The final speaker list and run of show have not been published by the RNC.
Why does the Dallas convention matter in Michigan?
Axios reports that Republican organizers plan to make Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed a focal point of the convention’s argument about the progressive left. The outlet also reported that Republican nominee Mike Rogers plans to attend.
Are “honorary delegates” voting delegates?
No traditional delegate vote is scheduled because no party business will be conducted. “Honorary delegate” is an access and fundraising designation used by some state parties, not an elected voting role at a presidential nominating convention.
Sources and method
Verified facts, labeled reporting.
Official RNC and venue pages establish the event, ticket process, governing rule and normal arena policies. Program and Michigan details that are not in a final RNC schedule are explicitly attributed to reporting.
This is an independently produced guide from Michigan Republican Primary and is not an official RNC convention website.
- Official2026 Republican Midterm Convention website
- OfficialRNC public ticket-request page
- Official rulesRules of the Republican Party, Rule 13(b)
- AnnouncementAssociated Press: Dallas convention announcement
- ProgramAxios: reported convention program and strategy
- MichiganAxios: El-Sayed and Piker as reported convention focal points
- AttendanceAxios: reported candidate attendance, including Mike Rogers
- VenueAmerican Airlines Center visitor FAQ and standard bag policy