The Los Angeles Dodgers figure to visit the White House for a second consecutive year due to becoming back-to-back World Series champions by defeating the Toronto Blue Jays.
A trip to the White House has long been tradition for championship teams from the North American sports leagues, and the opportunity to do so in 2026 was extended to the Dodgers by President Donald Trump at the beginning of the week.
“Congratulations to the L.A. Dodgers, a game won by incredible CHAMPIONS!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “A lesser group of men would never have been able to win that game, or game 6, for that matter. So many stars made it all happen. Also, congratulations to ownership. What a great job they have done. SEE YOU ALL AT THE WHITE HOUSE!!!”
The Dodgers have not yet formally announced if they will accept President Trump’s invitation. MLB’s first World Series champion to visit the White House were the 1924 Washington Senators.
When the Dodgers accepted an invitation from President Trump for 2025, it was met by pushback from some segments of the fanbase and gave Mookie Betts pause. Betts ultimately decided to accompany his teammates on the visit in order to avoid becoming a distraction from their accomplishment of winning the World Series.
Only Freddie Freeman, who had just been put on the injured list with a sprained right ankle days before, and Brusdar Graterol, a Venezuelan native, were not with the Dodgers during their time in Washington D.C. Clayton Kershaw delivered a speech in Freeman’s place.
The Dodgers collectively took the stance that their decision to carry forward with the long-held tradition was not a political one. Manager Dave Roberts deemed it “a great honor for all of us.”
When would Dodgers go to the White House?
If the Dodgers are going to visit the White House in 2026, it likely would occur on Thursday, April 2, the day before beginning a three-game series against the Washington Nationals. That date is an off day in the 2026 Dodgers schedule.
Another option would be April 3, when the Dodgers and Nationals begin their weekend series.
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