Your complete guide to the inaugural Patriot Games: what happened, who won, and why it all took place in Geneva, Ohio.

From August 9–11, 2026, SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio hosted the inaugural Patriot Games, a national athletic competition held as part of America’s 250th birthday celebration. Below, we answer the most common questions about the event, the athletes, the prizes, and why it all happened at SPIRE.

What It Meant for SPIRE

Hosting the Patriot Games amplified SPIRE’s presence on the national stage. For the SPIRE community, the event reflected what happens on campus every day: elite athletic training paired with college-preparatory academics, on a campus built to develop future leaders. SPIRE’s own students were part of the story, and the surrounding community showed up in force. Community leaders from Ashtabula County, Harpersfield Township, and Geneva all dedicated resources to enhance the surroundings, provide hundreds of volunteers and welcome thousands of spectators. 

As SPIRE Managing Member & CEO Jonathan Ehrenfeld put it ahead of the games: at SPIRE, strong academics and athletics have the power to shape lives and develop future leaders; values the Patriot Games were built to celebrate.

The Patriot Games, Explained

What exactly are the Patriot Games?

The Patriot Games are a national athletic competition for high-school-age student-athletes, created as part of the Freedom 250 / America 250 celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. The inaugural event brought together top young athletes from across the country to compete in a series of challenges testing strength, speed, endurance, agility, teamwork, and perseverance. The 2026 games were held at SPIRE Academy from August 9–11, with a primetime special airing on ESPN on ABC.

Who won the 2026 Patriot Games?

Two champions were crowned — one male and one female. Kennadi Fuhrman, a senior soccer player and powerlifter from De Soto High School in Kansas, won the female division. Rockwell Myers of Utah, a competitive rock climber and ballroom dancer, won the male division.

How much money do the winners get?

The Patriot Games awarded a $250,000 scholarship prize pool, split between the two champions; $125,000 each in college scholarship money. The scholarships are designed to help the winners pursue their education and future goals.

When and where were the 2026 Patriot Games held?

The competition took place August 9–11, 2026, at  SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio, one of the largest and most advanced youth sports training and college-preparatory campuses in the country. SPIRE’s 850,000-square-foot, 800-acre campus features indoor and outdoor tracks, full-size fields, and an Olympic-size aquatics center, making it uniquely equipped to host a multi-sport national competition of this scale. The event was originally slated for Washington, D.C., before organizers selected SPIRE as the host venue.

Live competition was streamed on the ESPN App, and a one-hour primetime special aired on ESPN on ABC. The broader Freedom 250 celebration also included ceremonial elements tied to Washington, D.C. and America’s 250th anniversary.

What sports and events did athletes compete in?

Rather than a single sport, the Patriot Games tested all-around athleticism across a range of challenges. Competitors faced elements of a Presidential Fitness Test, a military-inspired boot camp circuit, and an obstacle course, along with team competitions including tug of war, kickball, dodgeball, and a basketball shooting challenge. Events incorporated elements of track and field, basketball, soccer, and football, plus fitness and endurance tests, rewarding the most complete all-around athletes.

How were the athletes selected?

Each U.S. state and territory along with tribal nations sent one male and one female athlete, ages 14–17, to compete. Participants were U.S. citizens or legal residents selected to represent their home states, bringing together roughly 100+ young athletes from every corner of the country.

Why is Pat McAfee involved?

ESPN personality and former NFL punter Pat McAfee attended the finale as a high-profile supporter of the event, appearing alongside President Trump during the competition. As one of the most recognizable figures in sports media, McAfee helped bring national attention to the games and the young athletes competing, part of the event’s broadcast presence on ESPN and ABC. (McAfee attended as a featured guest and supporter, not an organizer of the competition.)

What is the connection to the White House and America 250?

The Patriot Games were organized by the Freedom 250 task force as part of the yearlong celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. President Donald Trump attended the August 11 finale, congratulated the champions, and presented the trophies and scholarships, drawing national coverage to SPIRE’s campus.

Be Part of What’s Next at SPIRE

The Patriot Games put a national spotlight on SPIRE Academy, but what happens here every day is the real story. If the event put SPIRE on your radar, here are two ways to take the next step:

Enrollment is still open for the 2026–27 academic year. It’s not too late to secure your student-athlete’s spot at one of the country’s premier training and college-preparatory campuses. Start your enrollment inquiry →

Get first access to 2027 camps. Join our priority camp list now to lock in early access and an exclusive discount when camp registration opens this November. Join the priority camp list →