Feeling lucky? Trump’s Dallas convention opens a free ticket lottery
Published 5:35 am Sunday, August 16, 2026
A lottery is coming to Texas that even some Republican gambling opponents may want to win.
Anyone can now enter for a chance to receive free general-admission or VIP tickets to Republicans’ first midterm convention, scheduled Sept. 9-10 in Dallas. Ticket-seekers can request admission for either day or both through the lottery on the 2026 midterm convention website, organizers announced Saturday.
They did not say how many tickets would be distributed through the lottery. Winners will be selected randomly.
The drawing offers a new route into a unique political gathering for which Texas Republicans initially sold costly donor packages while other state parties used applications, raffles and other methods.
Winners will be notified Sept. 4 and have 24 hours to claim their tickets, just five days before the convention starts. They will have to arrange and pay for their own travel and lodging.
A few will receive VIP front-row tickets inside the arena, while others will get access to convention festivities in and around American Airlines Center.
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“Attendees will also have access to the victory plaza, which will feature special surprise guests, entertainment, food, drink, and a true celebratory environment unlike any convention in history,” organizers said in a news release.
The convention lottery is distinct from government-sponsored gambling that Texas Republican delegates targeted in their party platform this summer. That document calls for the “complete and immediate abolition of the Texas Lottery” and opposes the expansion of “electronic versions of raffles.”
D’rinda Randall, the state GOP chair, said she saw no conflict with the party’s anti-gambling policy because there is no charge to try to win a convention ticket. She called it a good idea and encouraged Texas Republicans to enter.
“There’s a lot of people around this country that want to go, and so it’s just another way to gin up excitement to be part of something that’s so historic,” she said.
Randall said she’s already given away 300 tickets to Texans and is trying to obtain 100 more for local Republicans to watch the convention from inside the arena.
Texas Republicans initially offered access through donor packages costing $5,000 to $20,000. The party later cut the two highest prices to $7,500 and $10,000 for packages that included hotel accommodations, the designation of “delegate” and other perks. The party has not disclosed how many packages were sold.
Convention organizers said the Dallas gathering will have capacity for more than 20,000 attendees. Unlike a presidential nominating convention, it will involve no nomination or other official party business.
Organizers also are seeking 750 volunteers per day to help at the convention, primarily from among North Texas Republicans.