President Trump is heading to Florida Gulf Coast University for a rally

Miami Herald Staff Report, Miami Herald on Oct 21, 2026

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President Donald Trump is returning to his home state of Florida this week for what his team calls a midterm rally — but it won’t be in Palm Beach or Doral where he has a mansion and a golf resort.

Trump is traveling to Lee County on Friday and will appear at Alico Arena on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University near Fort Myers.

FGCU and its basketball arena are best known as Dunk City. In 2013, the Florida Gulf Coast men’s basketball team followed a Cinderella story plot and made the Sweet 16 of the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament. FGCU, little known beyond its home turf, became a national story with its newly bestowed Dunk City nickname shouted often by ESPN announcers.

Here’s what to know about President Trump’s rally and the venue:

When is President Trump’s rally?

Trump’s rally starts at 2 p.m. Friday at Alico Arena, with doors opening at 10:30 a.m. Check gop.com for available tickets.

Where is Trump’s rally?

The rally is inside the 4,500 seat Alico Arena, home of the men’s and women’s basketball teams of Florida Gulf Coast University, part of the state university system. The FGCU campus is just off Interstate 75 in unincorporated Lee County, on the edges of Estero and San Carlos Park, south of Fort Myers and north of Naples and Bonita Springs.

Trump has had rallies in the area before. He appeared at nearby Hertz Arena in Estero, near the FGCU campus, in 2016 and 2018. The yellow and white Hertz Arena is the home arena for the Florida Everblades minor league hockey team and also is the site of concerts.

Will FGCU be open during Trump’s rally?

Friday’s event at Alico Arena is expected to affect campus access and parking because of security and crowds. According to local TV station WINK, the “large-scale, private event” won’t cancel classes, but some may be affected.

“Students traveling to campus Friday, October 23, should plan accordingly and follow all posted access and parking restrictions,” a statement said.

What to know about FGCU

• Alico Arena is named for a major Florida agribusiness company. A nearby road, just to the north of the Florida Gulf Coast campus, also carries the Alico name.

• FGCU was founded in 1991 and opened to students in 1997.

• The university has about 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offers 100 degrees through five colleges.

• In sports, FGCU is best known for its Division I men’s and women’s basketball teams and baseball team. The Eagles do not field a college football team.

• Most famous alumni include Major League baseball player Chris Sale. Famous campus visitors include comedian Adam Sandler.

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