The Los Angeles Dodgers have confirmed they will visit the White House on July 23, 2026, to celebrate their 2025 World Series championship. The visit is scheduled during an off day in the middle of the team’s East Coast road trip, between series against the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets.
The ceremony will mark the Dodgers’ second consecutive White House visit after they were honored in April 2025 for winning the 2024 World Series.
Kiké Hernández Will Skip White House Visit
The announcement has drawn attention amid the current political climate, particularly after Kiké Hernández confirmed he does not plan to attend the White House ceremony.
Although Hernández is currently sidelined with an oblique strain and is expected to begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment, he has clarified that he likely would not have attended even if he were active.
The veteran utility player first revealed his decision in a now-deleted Instagram comment responding to a fan, writing, “I’m not.”
Hernández attended the Dodgers’ previous White House visit in 2025 but has previously expressed frustration with the event’s logistics, saying he would rather use the off day to rest than participate in team activities.
Manager Dave Roberts said attendance is a personal decision for each player, although he expects most of the roster to make the trip.
Latino Fans Criticize Dodgers’ Decision
The White House visit has also sparked criticism from many Latino fans, who argue the timing is particularly sensitive because of the Trump administration’s immigration policies and recent immigration enforcement actions in Southern California.
For many supporters, the Dodgers represent far more than a baseball team. The franchise has deep ties to Los Angeles’ Mexican American and broader Latino communities, making the decision especially controversial among portions of its fan base.
Commentators note that the Dodgers have one of the largest Latino followings in Major League Baseball, a relationship built over decades through iconic figures such as Fernando Valenzuela and the club’s longstanding connection to Southern California’s Latino community.
Dodgers’ Road Trip Includes White House Stop
The White House visit falls on the Dodgers’ scheduled off day during a nine-game East Coast road trip. Los Angeles will play the Philadelphia Phillies from July 20-22 before traveling to New York for a three-game series against the New York Mets from July 24-26.
Dodgers Continue White House Championship Tradition
The July 23 ceremony continues a longstanding tradition of honoring World Series champions at the White House. The Dodgers previously visited President Joe Biden in 2021 after winning the 2020 World Series and President Donald Trump in April 2025 following their 2024 championship.
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement to The Los Angeles Times:
“President Trump is excited to welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers BACK to the White House to celebrate their World Series championship!”
The Dodgers also defended the visit in a statement:
“As was the case one year ago, the Dodgers’ upcoming visits to the White House and Capitol Hill follow the longtime tradition of visits by other World Series champions. We appreciate these tributes in recognition of our back-to-back championships.”
