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Credit: DisneyOn May the Fourth, Mark Hamill collaborated with Barack Obama to make a special Star Wars-themed announcement regarding the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, Illinois. Here’s everything fans of both the Lucasfilm icon and the former president need to know.
Obama Presidential Center Makes Star Wars Day-Themed Announcement
On Star Wars Day 2026, the official Obama Foundation social media pages released a video featuring Barack Obama and Mark Hamill jointly announcing that tickets for the Obama Presidential Center will go on sale to the public on May 6, 2026. The presidential museum and library campus previously confirmed that it will hold its grand opening on Juneteenth: June 19, 2026.
The sketch starts with Hamill using the Force to communicate with former President Obama, under text reading “A short time from now on the South Side of Chicago…”
“Hear me… President Obama… President Obama,” Hamill says.
Obama appears on screen, exploring the presidential center: “Mark, I told you you have to stop contacting me like this.”
“Oh! I just wanted to ask: when can I come to the presidential center?” Hamill replies.
Obama responds with an exasperated look as John Williams-esque music plays in the background and text appears announcing that tickets to the presidential center will go on sale on May 6, 2026.
“Oh!” Hamill replies.
Watch the Star Wars Day announcement below:
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Tickets to the Obama Presidential Center available May 6.
@BarackObama @MarkHamill
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Tickets to the Obama Presidential Center available May 6. @BarackObama @MarkHamill pic.twitter.com/z9MUJqQMBD
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) May 4, 2026
How to Visit
The Obama Presidential Center, funded by the Obama Foundation, is located on the South Side of Chicago, where Barack and Michelle Obama met and began their lives together. The 19.3-acre campus boasts a sprawling museum, a basketball court, a Great Lawn, and more.
The museum is located at 6001 S. Stony Island Ave. in the Jackson Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. It officially opens on June 19, and campus grounds will be open to the public from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., seven days a week. The museum requires a timed-entry ticket and is open Monday from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Buy tickets here starting May 6.
What do you think about the collaboration between Mark Hamill and Barack Obama? Share your thoughts with Inside the Magic in the comments!
