Major Networks Skip GOP Midterm Convention for NFL Football
Major TV networks planned to cover the 2026 Republican midterm convention. That was the plan. Instead, they are turning their cameras to football games.
The Washington Examiner reports that major cable news channels will not broadcast nonstop coverage of the event. The convention starts Tuesday, Sept. 9, in Dallas. But CBS and CNN will not cover most of the two days live.
A source familiar with CBS plans told the Washington Examiner the network has correspondents in Texas. They will report on the convention “closely.” But the source added that CBS does not “have plans for anything major.”
NBC is also skipping much of the live broadcast. The network holds the rights to the season-opening matchup between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. Wednesday at 8:20 p.m. Eastern is the scheduled time for that Super Bowl rematch.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance is set to speak around 9 p.m. that same night. NBC pays more than $2 billion annually for its NFL rights. They chose the game over the convention.
The low-key coverage marks a sharp change from past events. The Republican National Committee calls this gathering “Trump-a-palooza.” Yet the arena remains half-empty.
The American Airlines Center in Dallas can hold more than 21,000 people. Less than a week before the event, organizers are still trying to offload tickets. A political operative familiar with the planning told the Washington Examiner about the issue.
During a recent call, planners told participants that tickets were still available and mentioned that anyone who knows someone interested in attending could obtain tickets.
Many elected officials are skipping the event too. Sources told the Washington Examiner that Wisconsin GOP nominee Tom Tiffany will not be in Dallas. Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who is seeking reelection, will also miss the gathering.
I’m going for sure.
This is an outstanding platform to tell the American people about our wins.
$50,000,000,000 rural healthcare infrastructure revitalization fund.
The additional $1,000,000,000 for badger care.
No tax on tips
No tax on overtime
No tax on Social Security…
— Derrick Van Orden (@derrickvanorden) September 2, 2026
Ahead of the convention, several battleground Republicans told ABC News they are not going. Some say they are still undecided.
Republican Rep. Zach Nunn of Iowa told ABC News he will stay in his district. “We’re going to be back in our district working hard,” Nunn said.
Arizona Rep. Juan Ciscomani has a debate on Sept. 10. He told ABC News he cannot move it. “It’s a televised, pre-scheduled debate. We can’t move it,” Ciscomani said.
Rep. Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania is still waiting on his schedule. “We need to know what’s going on at the convention, and we’re still waiting to see all the different scheduling items there,” Mackenzie told ABC News.
CNN says it will cover the “newsiest moments and speeches.” But with the NFL taking primetime and key leaders absent, the story of this convention is one of quiet rooms and big games.