Kennedy Center Honors Relocates to Capital One Arena as Venue Undergoes Name Removal Renovations

The 2026 Kennedy Center Honors ceremony will be held at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., following the temporary closure of the Kennedy Center as it undergoes changes tied to the removal of Donald Trump’s name from the facility.

A Kennedy Center spokesperson confirmed on Friday that the annual honors will take place on December 7 at Capital One Arena, home to the Washington Wizards and Capitals. This year’s recipients will be announced in the coming months.

While CBS has broadcast the Kennedy Center Honors since 1978, the network’s future involvement in the program remains under review, ABC News reported. The announcement of the new broadcast partner is pending.

The relocation has raised concerns about the future of the ceremony, which faced uncertainty after the Kennedy Center announced closure-linked renovations. These renovations became linked to President Trump’s demand for the venue to bear his name, a requirement he deputized as a condition for cooperation with fundraising and construction efforts.

Following Trump’s installation of the venue’s name in office, federal courts mandated its removal. U.S. District Judge Casey Cooper ruled that Congress alone holds authority to rename the institution, reversing the Trump-era designation. The center is officially designated as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a name protected by congressional statute.

In response to the name removal, the Kennedy Center’s board, previously aligned with Trump’s interests, initiated renovations without clarifying their scope. Trump later shared a photo of himself on Air Force One reading a sign stating “Kennedy Center DEMOLISHED,” despite legal constraints on altering the facility without congressional approval.

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