Trump’s Wasilla Visit: There’s More to This Story
President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office on September 30, 2026, as Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, U.S. Rep. Nick Begich, Sen. Dan Sullivan and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick look on during an announcement involving South Korean investment in Alaska’s proposed LNG project. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI.
President Donald Trump is coming to Wasilla on Tuesday, October 13, for a midterm rally supporting Alaska Republican candidates. The visit will bring supporters to the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports & Events Center, but it also means changes for people who planned to use the facility that week.
The Mat-Su College & Career Fair is moving to a new location, and Menard Sports Center management has announced ice arena closures and a building closure on rally day.
Here’s what residents need to know.
When and Where Is the Rally?
The rally is scheduled at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports & Events Center, 1001 S. Clapp Street, in Wasilla. All times listed below are Alaska Daylight Time (AKDT):
- Tuesday, October 13
- Doors open at noon.
- The program begins at 2 p.m.
- Trump is scheduled to speak at 3:30 p.m.
The rally is supporting U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan and U.S. Rep. Nick Begich. Registration is available through the official rally RSVP page. Each registration is limited to four tickets, and phone verification is required.
The purpose of the rally is to drive Republican voter turnout, in a heavily Republican area, in an election that is otherwise expected to favor Democrats. This is likely being driven by polling showing Mary Peltola leading Dan Sullivan in the upcoming vote for U.S. Senate.
Career Fair Moves to Wasilla High School
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District has confirmed that the Mat-Su College & Career Fair is moving from the Menard Sports Center because of a scheduling conflict.
The fair will still take place Tuesday, October 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but at Wasilla High School, 701 E. Bogard Road.
The event connects students, families and community members with colleges, trades, apprenticeship programs, military representatives and employers. The district is asking the public to share the updated location so attendees know where to go.
Menard Sports Center Announces Facility Closures
Menard Sports Center management has also posted a notice outlining changes to the facility schedule:
- Monday, October 12: The ice arena will be closed.
- Tuesday, October 13: The building will be closed, and the ice arena will be closed.
- Wednesday, October 14: The ice arena will remain closed until noon.
People who regularly use the ice arena or have plans at the Menard Sports Center should check with the facility before heading out.
How Big Could the Rally Be?
The Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center lists a concert capacity of 3,500 people. At Trump’s July 2022 Alaska rally at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, 5,077 people were counted through the gates.
The Alaska Airlines Center can accommodate up to 5,400 people, depending on its setup. That is about 1,900 more than the Menard Sports Center’s published concert capacity.
These numbers compare venue capacities, not expected attendance. The space available for a rally can depend on the stage, security and other event needs.
There is no publicly confirmed RSVP total available to show how many people have registered for Tuesday’s rally.
What About Lines and Parking?
The Menard Sports Center lists 947 parking spaces. How quickly those spaces fill will depend on attendance, carpooling and drop-offs.
Long lines are possible. At Trump’s 2022 Anchorage rally people waited for hours and hundreds were still outside when he began speaking. That does not mean Wasilla will see the same conditions, but attendees may want to allow extra time and follow event instructions.
What Residents Should Know
The school district has confirmed the career fair’s new location, and Menard Sports Center management has published the facility closure schedule. These changes affect more than rally attendees, especially students, families and people who planned to use the ice arena.
If you’re attending the rally, visiting the Menard Sports Center or heading to the career fair, double-check the location and schedule before leaving home.
Primary Sources
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
- Menard Sports & Events Center closure notice
- Official Trump rally RSVP page
- City of Wasilla: Menard Sports Center
- Alaska Beacon: Reporting on Trump’s 2022 Alaska rally
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