Donald Trump received a warm welcome from the Miami crowd as he attended the college football playoff final, accompanied by several family members. His presence at the event was marked by enthusiastic cheers, highlighting his enduring connection with sports throughout his presidency.

During his second term, Trump has consistently made appearances at various sporting events, further solidifying the role of athletics in his administration since his re-election in 2024. Monday night’s national championship game in Miami was no exception, drawing his attendance as fans eagerly anticipated the clash.

The game saw a standout performance from star quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who led the Indiana Hoosiers, the top-seeded team, to a hard-fought 27-21 victory over the No. 10 ranked Hurricanes. Following the thrilling match, Trump extended his congratulations to the winning team, acknowledging the talent and competitiveness displayed on the field. “Congratulations to Indiana,” he remarked. “It turned out to be a great game. Two great teams, wonderful teams with a lot of talent.”

Trump was not alone at the event; he shared the experience with his daughter Ivanka, her husband Jared Kushner, and their sons Joseph Frederick and Theo James. The family affair also included Trump’s granddaughter Kai, who attended with her mother Vanessa. Lara Trump, the spouse of Trump’s second son, Eric, was present as well, alongside their children, Luke and Carolina. The family’s presence added a personal touch to the evening, underscoring the significance of sports in their lives.

Trump was joined at the final by his daughter Ivanka, her husband Jared Kushner and their two sons Joseph Frederick and Theo James. 

Granddaughter Kai, the eldest child of Donald Trump Jr, was also in attendance with her mom Vanessa, as was Lara Trump, the wife of the president’s second son Eric, with their son Luke and young daughter Carolina.

Donald Trump attended Monday’s national championship game between Indiana and Miami 

The president was joined at the College Football Playoff final by his daughter Ivanka (right)

Trump’s granddaughter, aspiring golfer Kai (left), was also seen in his VIP suite at the game

He was in attendance as Fernando Mendoza inspired Indiana to the college football title

Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined the group on the night and was even seen walking on the field prior to kickoff, while UFC president and Trump ally Dana White also visited the suite.

Secretary Doug Burgum, personal senior counsel Boris Epshteyn, communications director Steven Cheung and Dan Scavino, the president’s longtime aide, were the other members of his administration in attendance.

After arriving at the stadium, Trump was seen waving to fans from behind the bulletproof glass in his VIP suite as he prepared to watch the game unfold. 

When he was shown on the big screen during the American national anthem, the president appeared to get a huge ovation from the crowd inside Hard Rock Stadium. 

Indiana are strong favorites to win and have Heisman trophy winner Fernando Mendoza at quarterback, the man widely expected to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft at the end of April, which is held by the Las Vegas Raiders.

However, Trump might be supporting the Hurricanes given his teenage granddaughter, Kai, is on a golf scholarship in Miami.

The 79-year-old has attended college football’s showpiece game before. In 2018, he watched the first half between Alabama and Georgia at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Trump also became the first sitting president in history to attend a Super Bowl in 2025 when he headed to New Orleans to watch the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs, who were on the verge of a three-peat.

Ivanka’s husband Jared Kushner (right) and their two sons joined them at Hard Rock Stadium

Eric Trump’s wife Lara (left) was also present with her young daughter Carolina (bottom right) 

The president has made attending sporting events an integral part of his second term

UFC President and longtime Trump ally Dana White was also spotted in the suite at one stage

Aside from football, he made high-profile appearances at the Ryder Cup, NASCAR’s Daytona 500, a New York Yankees game on the anniversary of 9/11 and UFC 316 since returning to the Oval Office. 

It’s a trend that is set to continue in 2026 far beyond the college final. The United States is hosting the World Cup, starting in June where Gianni Infantino, who leads soccer’s governing body FIFA, has gone to to great lengths to forge a friendship with Trump. 

Trump has also scheduled a UFC event to be held at the White House on June 14, which coincides with his 80th birthday, amid his close friendship with White, the MMA promotion’s CEO.

Furthermore, the next Super Bowl is held on February 8 in Santa Clara, just outside of San Francisco. There is no word yet on if Trump will attend but it is possible, given previous form.

As for Monday’s game itself, a Hoosiers victory completed one of the biggest turnarounds in the history of college football.

When Curt Cignetti was appointed as the team’s head coach in November 2023, they had a miserable 9-26 record since 2020 in three consecutive losing seasons.

Trump’s party were later seen boarding their plane out of Miami after the national title game

Vanessa Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr and lover of Tiger Woods, waits to board the plane

Trump briefly spoke to reporters on the tarmac before heading on a flight back to Washington

Heisman Trophy winner Mendoza scored a remarkable touchdown as Indiana toppled Miami

Now, led by Mendoza, the team are national champions after sealing an impeccable 16-0 season with victory over Miami.

In front of Trump and Tom Brady, Mendoza cemented his status as the best quarterback in college football with an incredible piece of individual play to take the game away from the Hurricanes in the fourth quarter.

The projected No. 1 pick, who is set to join Brady’s Las Vegas Raiders in this year’s NFL Draft, and reigning Heisman Trophy winner bulldozed his way into the end zone from 12 yards on a dramatic fourth down.

Miami still had a chance to stage a dramatic comeback but quarterback Carson Beck threw an interception with 44 seconds left in the game, sparking wild scenes among Indiana’s players, coaches and fans.