Kennedy Center Honors Move to Capital One Arena

The Kennedy Center announced on November 2 that the five artists will receive its annual lifetime achievement awards. The ceremony, now in its 49th year, will take place at Capital One Arena rather than the Kennedy Center, which is closed amid a dispute over renovations and President Donald Trump’s effort to add his name to the building.

The honorees span music, theater and film. Anka is known for songs including “Diana” and “My Way”; Foster is a composer and producer with 16 Grammy Awards; Garcia is an actor whose credits include “The Godfather Part III”; Mamet wrote “Glengarry Glen Ross”; and Mandrell is a country singer and Country Music Hall of Fame member.

Trump said the artists’ work has shaped American culture and that the awards continue a tradition nearing 50 years. He hosted the 2025 ceremony, but a host for this year’s event has not been announced. The 2025 broadcast drew record-low viewership, and CBS’s rights deal expired last year; no broadcaster for the 2026 ceremony has been named.

The center’s closure follows a legal fight over Trump’s name on the building and plans for renovations. A federal judge blocked efforts to add the name, and Trump has said renovations will not proceed unless it is restored. The December 7 ceremony will be the first held away from the Kennedy Center.

Kennedy Center Honors Shift as Trump’s Fight Reshapes Institution

The 2026 Kennedy Center Honors will leave the institution’s own stages for Capital One Arena, a stark illustration of how President Donald Trump’s campaign to put his name on the building has overtaken a national arts institution. The Kennedy Center announced on November 2 that its recipients are singer Paul Anka, producer David Foster, actor Andy Garcia, playwright David Mamet and country performer Barbara Mandrell, who will receive the awards on December 7.

A federal judge blocked efforts to add Trump’s name to the building, and the center is now closed amid the dispute and proposed renovations. Trump has said renovations will not go ahead unless his name is restored. The legal fight has turned a longstanding cultural event into a symbol of political control over an institution meant to honor artists across the spectrum.

The honorees represent music, theater and film: Anka wrote “My Way,” Foster has won 16 Grammys, Garcia appeared in “The Godfather Part III,” Mamet wrote “Glengarry Glen Ross,” and Mandrell is a Country Music Hall of Fame member. Trump praised their influence on American culture. He hosted last year’s show, which drew record-low viewership; no host or broadcaster has been announced for this year’s ceremony, and CBS’s rights deal expired last year.

Five Acclaimed Artists Carry Kennedy Center Honors Forward

The Kennedy Center Honors will celebrate five artists whose careers have shaped American music, theater and film, even as renovations and a legal fight move the December 7 ceremony to Capital One Arena. The center announced on November 2 that the recipients are singer Paul Anka, producer David Foster, actor Andy Garcia, playwright David Mamet and country star Barbara Mandrell.

The honors recognize lifetime contributions to American culture, a tradition established in 1978. Anka is known for “My Way,” Foster has earned 16 Grammy Awards, Garcia’s credits include “The Godfather Part III,” Mamet wrote “Glengarry Glen Ross,” and Mandrell is a Country Music Hall of Fame member. Trump said the artists’ work has inspired generations and that the awards continue a tradition nearing 50 years.

The Kennedy Center is closed amid the dispute over Trump’s effort to add his name to the building and plans to renovate it. A federal judge blocked efforts to put his name on the building; Trump has said renovations will not proceed unless it is restored. The 2025 ceremony, hosted by Trump, drew record-low viewership. No host or broadcaster has been announced for this year, and CBS’s broadcast rights expired last year.