When Is the State of the Union Address 2026? What to Know About Timing and Tradition

As Americans look ahead to the political calendar, one question is gaining traction: when is the State of the Union address 2026? While an official date has not yet been formally confirmed, the annual address traditionally takes place in late January or early February before a joint session of Congress.

As of Monday, February 23, 2026 (ET), the White House has not publicly announced a specific date for the 2026 State of the Union, though historically it would fall within the first several weeks of the year.

What Is the State of the Union Address?

The State of the Union is an annual speech delivered by the sitting U.S. president to a joint session of the United States Congress.

The address serves several purposes:

• Reviewing the condition of the nation

• Outlining legislative priorities

• Presenting economic goals

• Highlighting foreign policy direction

• Setting the administration’s agenda for the year

Under Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, the president is required to periodically provide Congress with information on the “State of the Union,” though the exact timing is not constitutionally mandated.

When Is the State of the Union Address 2026 Likely to Happen?

Traditionally, modern presidents deliver the speech in:

• The last week of January, or

• The first two weeks of February

The speech is scheduled in coordination with congressional leadership and announced by the White House after the House Speaker formally invites the president to address Congress.

If following precedent, the 2026 State of the Union would typically have been scheduled in early February 2026. However, the exact date depends on legislative scheduling and political considerations.

Who Will Deliver the State of the Union 2026?

The 2026 address will be delivered by Donald Trump, who began his second, non-consecutive term on January 20, 2025.

In the first year of a presidency, the speech is technically not called a “State of the Union” but rather an address to a joint session of Congress. By the second year of a term, it formally becomes the State of the Union address.

The 2026 speech would therefore represent President Trump’s first official State of the Union of his second term.

What to Expect in the 2026 State of the Union

While the full content will not be known until delivery, key themes are likely to include:

• Economic growth and inflation

• Border and immigration policy

• Foreign relations and global security

• Domestic energy production

• Federal spending and budget priorities

Presidents often use the address to:

• Call on Congress to pass specific legislation

• Announce new initiatives

• Highlight bipartisan achievements

• Recognize invited guests in the gallery

The speech is traditionally delivered in the evening (ET) and broadcast nationally across major television networks and digital platforms.

Why the Date Matters

The timing of the State of the Union can shape:

• Legislative momentum early in the year

• Media narratives

• Financial market reactions

• Political messaging ahead of midterm election cycles

Because 2026 is a midterm election year, the speech may carry added political significance, serving as a platform to outline party priorities before voters head to the polls later in the year.

How to Watch the State of the Union 2026

Once officially scheduled, the address will be:

• Broadcast live on major networks

• Streamed through official government channels

• Covered in real time by news outlets

Americans searching when is the State of the Union address 2026 should monitor announcements from the White House and congressional leadership for the confirmed date and time.

For now, while the exact date has not been formally publicized, historical precedent suggests the speech typically occurs in late January or early February — making it one of the first major political events of the year.