President Donald Trump is leaving his weekend football plans up to the weather.
The 80 year old, who earlier said he intended to be in the stands for Saturday’s Alabama Georgia matchup, adjusted his stance this week as Hurricane Isaias closes in on the Gulf Coast. The storm is projected to make landfall Friday, Oct. 9, and then move north, just a day before the Oct. 10 contest in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Trump says the storm will make the call
Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday, Oct. 7, Trump described the situation as a rare pairing of a major weather event and a game he is eager to see. He said he has a deep fondness for Alabama and would love to be at a matchup of that magnitude, adding that he hoped to make it work, according to WVTM 13.
The president also stressed that he does not want his presence to pull attention away from the emergency crews and officials preparing for the storm. He praised those workers as exceptionally skilled and said the spotlight should stay on their efforts if the weather turns serious.
Trump acknowledged that he was unaware of the hurricane when he first said he planned to go. He noted that the system is heading toward the Alabama area, called that development a bad one and said he would let the storm settle the question. Keeping people safe, he added, is his priority.
The commander in chief recently took in another Southeastern Conference showdown, attending the Texas-Tennessee game on Sept. 26.
Alabama governor declares a state of emergency
Gov. Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency ahead of Isaias, which is the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season. The system is currently churning over the Gulf Coast and is expected to push north in the coming days.
Ivey said, that officials are tracking the forecasts but must begin getting ready immediately. She explained that the declaration allows the state to take whatever steps are needed before the storm arrives.
The governor encouraged residents with weekend travel plans to rely on dependable information as conditions change. While she is hoping for limited impacts, she stressed that the preparations should be taken seriously.
Alabama and the SEC keep watching conditions
Alabama released a statement saying there are currently no plans to alter the game, which is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff in Tuscaloosa, still, the school noted that its officials and the SEC will keep monitoring the weather. The conference holds the final authority over whether the game goes ahead as planned.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart acknowledged that the uncertainty is out of his control, per the AP. He said his focus remains on preparing his players and getting the game plan ready.
Other games feel the impact
The storm has already shaken up the schedule elsewhere in the state. The Southwestern Athletic Conference moved Florida A&M’s game at Alabama State from Saturday to Friday morning because of the weather, the AP reported.
What to know about the storm
Isaias is the first hurricane to form in the Atlantic this year, and its path through the Gulf Coast has drawn the attention of officials across the state. Forecasters expect the storm to reach land Friday before moving north, which leaves a narrow window between landfall and Saturday night’s kickoff. That timeline is a major reason officials are keeping a close eye on conditions rather than making an early decision.
What happens next
For now, the president’s attendance remains unsettled, and the game itself is still on the calendar. Trump has signaled that safety and the work of emergency personnel will outweigh his desire to be there, and the decision will likely come down to how Isaias behaves over the next two days. Fans, players and travelers headed to Tuscaloosa will be watching the forecast closely, as will the SEC, which has the final say. Updates are expected as conditions develop.
