For the first time in 50 years, both the Democratic and Republican parties are seriously considering holding midterm conventions.
That means it’s possible that one or two cities in the U.S. will host a convention requiring roughly 10,000 hotel rooms on peak night sometime between July and mid-September 2026—in other words, on less than seven months’ notice.
It also becomes possible that meetings and conventions already scheduled in a city that lands a political convention over the same summer dates could be asked to move their dates or move to another city, with compensation from the host property or venue—provided that the event contract addresses such an issue.
Some event contracts specify that a group cannot be moved to accommodate another group, regardless of compensation being offered.
In any case, planners with domestic meetings scheduled between July and mid-September 2026 would be wise to refer to the relevant sections of their contracts with hotels and event venues.
The Details
According to this article in Politico, the Republican National Committee approved a rule change during its January 22-24 winter meeting that would allow the party to hold a convention in 2026, a midterm election year.
The rule authorizes the RNC to “conduct a special ceremonial convention between presidential conventions, such as a midterm convention,” said Bill O’Brien, the national committeeman from New Hampshire.
“I’m incredibly excited about the possibility of hosting midterm convention to highlight what President Trump and Republicans have been able to accomplish this year,” RNC Chairman Joe Gruters added. “If the president wants us to host a convention to highlight the great work this administration has done for the American people, we are doing the work now and will be ready to act when that time comes.”
Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee, which held a series of midterm-year national conventions in the 1970s, are also considering holding a 2026 convention this summer. At the DNC’s winter meeting in Los Angeles in December, officials from Omaha, Nebraska and Salt Lake City, Utah were among those seeking to host the event if it gets the go-ahead.
Republicans have not announced where their convention might be held, though Nevada GOP leaders are seeking to host it in Las Vegas.
