The air usually gets a bit crisper when December rolls around, and for college football fans, that means exactly one thing. It's time for "America’s Game." If you're looking for the Army-Navy game 2024 time, you need to mark your calendar for December 14, 2024, with the kickoff officially set for 3:00 PM ET.
It's weirdly specific, right? Not 3:30. Not 1:00.
Just 3:00 PM.
This year, the 125th meeting between the United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy isn't happening in Philadelphia or New York. Instead, we’re heading to Landover, Maryland. Specifically, Northwest Stadium—the home of the Washington Commanders. It’s a massive stage for a rivalry that honestly doesn't need much hype, but the venue change adds a layer of logistical chaos that fans need to be ready for.
Why the Army-Navy Game 2024 Time Matters More Than Usual
Usually, this game owns the Saturday after the conference championships. It’s a standalone window. CBS has the rights, and they treat it like a crown jewel. The 3:00 PM start time is a strategic move to capture that late-afternoon sunlight for the "March On"—that iconic moment when the Corps of Cadets and the Brigade of Midshipmen take over the field—while ensuring the game finishes under the primetime lights.
But here’s the thing.
The 2024 season is different. We have a 12-team College Football Playoff now. While the Army-Navy game remains in its traditional spot, the pressure on these athletes is higher than it’s been in decades. Both programs have been playing incredibly high-level football lately. Army, led by Jeff Monken, has been a force in their first year in the AAC. Navy, under Brian Newberry, has shown a defensive grit that’s caught a lot of people off guard.
You aren't just watching a ceremony. You're watching two teams that genuinely have postseason aspirations beyond just a bowl game.
The Logistics of a 3:00 PM Kickoff
If you’re actually going to the game, the Army-Navy game 2024 time of 3:00 PM is a bit of a lie. You can't just show up at 2:45. Honestly, if you aren't in your seat by 12:15 PM, you're missing the best part of the entire experience.
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The March On starts early.
The Midshipmen usually take the field around 12:10 PM, followed by the Cadets at 12:40 PM. It is a choreographed display of discipline that makes every other "tunnel walk" in college football look like amateur hour. Then you've got the jump teams. Seeing the parachutists land on the 50-yard line is a reminder that these guys aren't just athletes; they’re future officers.
If you're watching from home on CBS or streaming on Paramount+, the broadcast usually starts at 2:00 PM ET to cover the pageantry. Don't skip the pregame. It’s the only time all year where the "fluff" pieces actually feel meaningful because the stakes for these players involve literally serving their country.
The Venue Shift: From Philly to Landover
Philadelphia is the spiritual home of this game. We all know that. But the 2024 rotation brings it to the D.C. area. This matters for the Army-Navy game 2024 time because traffic in the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) is a nightmare on a good day. On a Saturday in December with 80,000 people descending on Northwest Stadium? It’s going to be a standstill.
If you are driving, give yourself a four-hour buffer. Seriously.
The Maryland transit options are... okay. But they aren't the SEPTA system fans are used to in Philly. This move to Landover is part of a multi-city cycle that includes Boston (2023), D.C. (2024), Baltimore (2025), and New York/New Jersey (2026). It’s an effort to bring the game to the "power centers" of the East Coast, but it definitely changes the vibe for the fans.
What the Betting Lines Tell Us
Last year, the total for this game was famously low. Like, historically low. Why? Because these two teams run the ball. They grind the clock. They know each other’s schemes better than they know their own names. When both teams run the triple option—or variations of it—the clock never stops.
A 3:00 PM start usually means the game is over by 6:15 PM.
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Compare that to a typical Big 12 shootout that lasts four hours because of all the incomplete passes and commercial breaks. Army and Navy play "fast" in terms of real-world time, even if the pace of play feels like a heavyweight wrestling match.
Keep an eye on the "Under." It’s a meme at this point, but for a reason. These games are low-scoring, physical, and decided by who blinks first on a fourth-and-short in the fourth quarter.
How to Watch the 125th Edition
If you aren't among the lucky few with a ticket, here is the breakdown for the Army-Navy game 2024 time and broadcast details:
- Date: December 14, 2024
- Time: 3:00 PM ET (Kickoff)
- TV Channel: CBS
- Streaming: Paramount+ (requires a subscription) or FuboTV
- Radio: Westwood One Sports / Army-Navy Radio Network
Basically, if you have an antenna, you're good. CBS has broadcasted this game since 1996, and their production team—usually featuring Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson—treats it with a level of reverence you don't see during a random SEC afternoon game.
A Note on the Uniforms
You can't talk about the game without the threads. Every year, both schools release custom uniforms that honor specific divisions or historical moments. Army usually leans into its "Big Red One" or "Mountain Division" history. Navy often honors specific naval milestones, like the Blue Angels or submarine crews.
These designs usually drop about two weeks before the game. They aren't just for show. They are deep-dives into military history that the players take immense pride in wearing. Expect the 2024 designs to be revealed in late November.
Surprising Facts About the Rivalry
People think this game is just about tradition. It is. But it’s also about weird stats.
Did you know that from 2002 to 2015, Navy won 14 straight games? It was the longest streak in the history of the series. Army fans suffered through over a decade of heartbreak before finally breaking the curse in 2016 in Baltimore. Since then, it has been back-and-forth, making the Army-Navy game 2024 time even more anticipated because the power balance is finally level again.
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The "Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy" is the real prize here. It’s the triangular trophy awarded to the winner of the series between Army, Navy, and Air Force. Winning this game often determines who gets to visit the White House.
There's also the "Prisoner Exchange."
This is a real thing. Students from West Point and Annapolis who are spending a semester at the rival academy are "exchanged" on the field before the game. It’s a lighthearted moment that masks the absolute intensity that follows for the next three hours.
Final Strategy for Fans
If you're planning your Saturday around the Army-Navy game 2024 time, don't just focus on the game. Focus on the day.
- Check the Weather: Landover in mid-December can be 50 degrees and sunny or 32 degrees with a freezing drizzle. Layer up. You’ll be sitting on cold stadium seats for hours.
- Download Your Tickets Early: Cell service at Northwest Stadium is notorious for dropping when 80,000 people are trying to post photos of the flyover at the same time. Have your digital wallet ready before you get to the gate.
- Stay for the Alma Mater: This is non-negotiable. After the game, both teams stand together. They sing the losing school’s alma mater first, then the winning school’s. It’s called "Singing Second." It is the most respectful, chilling moment in all of sports.
The 2024 meeting is going to be a slugfest. Both Jeff Monken and Brian Newberry have teams that reflect their personalities: tough, disciplined, and utterly relentless. Whether you're rooting for the Black Knights or the Midshipmen, just make sure you're settled in by 3:00 PM.
Actually, make it 2:30. You don't want to miss the flyover.
Next Steps for Your Game Day:
To make the most of the event, confirm your transportation to Landover now if you're attending in person; parking passes for Northwest Stadium sell out weeks in advance. If you're hosting a watch party, verify your Paramount+ login or check your local CBS affiliate's schedule to ensure your signal is clear for the 2:00 PM pregame window.