When the 2026 National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals move to Madison Square Garden in New York for Game 3 next week, United States President Donald Trump will be in attendance. The league confirmed Trump's presence, noting that he was invited by the team's owner.
Trump's Plans for the Finals
"The answer is yes — he's invited me, I'm going," Trump said of the invitation from James Dolan, the owner of the New York Knicks. The president plans to attend either Game 3 on Monday (Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Philippine time) or Game 4 on Wednesday (Thursday, June 11, Philippine time). "Maybe I'll do both," he added.
Historic Attendance
The NBA stated that no sitting president has previously attended an NBA Finals game. Commissioner Adam Silver recalled Trump's long history as a Knicks fan, long before his political career. "Donald Trump, before he ever ran for office, he was a big Knicks fan," Silver said. "I was there at many Knicks games with him in the old days. He attended many of our drafts when they used to take place at Madison Square Garden."
