The U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Military Academy announced a 15-year extension of CBS Sports' broadcast rights for the annual Army-Navy football game through the 2038 season.[1][2]
The Army Black Knights and Navy Midshipmen have met every year since 1890 in one of college football's oldest rivalries, traditionally played on the second Saturday in December at a neutral-site stadium.[3] Army holds a 62-54-7 all-time series lead following its 17-11 victory in the 2023 matchup at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.[3][4]
The Commander-in-Chief's Trophy is awarded annually to the service academy football program—Army, Navy or Air Force—that records victories over the other two during the regular season. The trophy presentation often occurs at the White House.[5]
The 2025 Army-Navy game is scheduled for December 13 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, returning to the site that hosted the 2016 contest.[2]
The College Football Playoff expansion to a 12-team format, which began in the 2024 season, has prompted discussions on preserving the Army-Navy game's traditional early-December slot between conference championships and playoff opening rounds. Athletic directors from both academies have emphasized coordination with playoff organizers to avoid conflicts.[6]
U.S. presidents from both parties have attended Army-Navy games and trophy ceremonies, underscoring the event's national significance. Former President Donald Trump attended the 2016 game at M&T Bank Stadium and hosted service academy representatives on multiple occasions.[7]
Sources
- CBS Sports, "CBS Sports Extends Army-Navy Game Broadcast Rights Through 2038", May 17, 2024, https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/cbs-sports-extends-army-navy-game-broadcast-rights-through-2038/
- Naval Academy Athletics, "Army-Navy Game to Return to Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium in 2025", May 17, 2024, https://navysports.com/news/2024/5/17/football-army-navy-game-to-return-to-baltimore-in-2025.aspx
- United States Military Academy Athletics, "Navy Football History vs Army West Point", accessed October 2024, https://goarmywestpoint.com/sports/football/opponent-history/navy/24
- ESPN, "Army holds off Navy 17-11 in 124th meeting of historic rivalry", December 9, 2023, https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=401547908
- Naval Academy Athletics, "Commander-in-Chief's Trophy", accessed October 2024, https://navysports.com/traditions/commander-in-chiefs-trophy
- AP News, "Army, Navy athletic directors confident game won't conflict with 12-team CFP", July 25, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/army-navy-football-playoff-expansion-97d4e5f9f4b0b3e2a8c1d7f6e9b2a1c
- Reuters, "Trump attends Army-Navy football game", December 10, 2016, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-army-navy-football-trump-idUSKBN1422M2/
