If you’ve ever stood in the freezing cold of a Northeast December, surrounded by thousands of people in wool overcoats and military dress, you know this isn't just another Saturday in the fall. It's different. Honestly, it’s the only game where every single person on the field is willing to die for every person in the stands. That sounds heavy, but that’s the reality of "America’s Game." People start hunting for the army navy football game schedule months, sometimes years, in advance because this isn't a "show up and buy at the gate" kind of situation.
You need to plan. Seriously.
The 2026 iteration is already generating a massive buzz because it’s heading back to a classic venue, and the logistics of getting to these games are notoriously a nightmare if you wait until November. We’re talking about a rivalry that dates back to 1890. It’s a tradition wrapped in a football game, and if you don't have the dates and locations etched into your calendar, you're basically going to be watching from your couch while wishing you were smelling the tailgates in the parking lot.
Where and When: Breaking Down the Army Navy Football Game Schedule
The schedule for this rivalry is actually set years in advance, which is a blessing for those of us who like to plan our lives. For 2026, the game is slated for December 12. It’s heading to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This is a big deal because the rotation usually favors Philadelphia, but the "New York" market (technically Jersey, let’s be real) offers a massive stage for the Midshipmen and the Black Knights.
The game almost always falls on the second Saturday in December. This is strategic. It’s the only game in town. With the regular season over and the conference championships in the rearview mirror, Army and Navy own the national spotlight.
Looking further out? The 2027 game is scheduled for December 11 at Northwest Stadium (formerly FedExField) in Landover, Maryland. Then, in 2028, it returns to the spiritual home of the rivalry: Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on December 9. If you're a purist, Philly is the place to be. There’s something about the city of brotherly love that just fits the grit of this game.
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The "Neutral Site" Myth and Why Location Matters
You’ll hear people call these neutral site games. Technically, they are. But ask any alum, and they’ll tell you that the "vibe" shifts depending on where they play. When it’s in Baltimore or Landover, it feels like a Navy home game because Annapolis is just a stone's throw away. When it moves up to New York or New Jersey, the West Point contingent shows up in massive, loud numbers.
The army navy football game schedule isn't just about the kickoff time (which is almost always 3:00 PM ET on CBS, by the way). It’s about the "March On."
If you aren't in your seat at least three hours early, you’re doing it wrong. The March On is when the entire Corps of Cadets and the Brigade of Midshipmen march onto the field in formation. It is a logistical masterpiece. You see thousands of students moving with terrifying precision. It’s honestly more impressive than most halftime shows you’ll see in the NFL.
How the New Playoff Format Changes the Stakes
Historically, this game was about pride and the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. That’s still the biggest prize. But with the expanded 12-team (and potentially 14-team) College Football Playoff, the army navy football game schedule has taken on a weird, new kind of tension.
Since the game happens after the playoff field is typically selected, there’s been a lot of talk among officials like Navy AD Chet Gladchuk and Army AD Mike Buddie about what happens if one of these teams is actually a playoff contender. In 2024 and 2025, the committee had to basically create a "contingency plan" for this.
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Basically, if Army or Navy is ranked high enough to earn a spot as the top Group of Five champion, the committee might have to wait for this game to finish before finalizing the seeds. It’s a headache for the suits in Indianapolis, but for fans, it adds a layer of "meaning" that hasn't existed in decades.
Tickets, Hotels, and the "Hidden" Costs
Let's talk money. This is where people get burned.
- Tickets: Unless you are an alum or a season ticket holder for one of the academies, getting tickets at face value is nearly impossible. You’re looking at the secondary market (StubHub, SeatGeek, etc.). Expect to pay $200 for "nosebleed" seats and upwards of $1,000 for anything near the 50-yard line.
- Hotels: As soon as the army navy football game schedule is confirmed for a specific city, hotels within a 20-mile radius spike their prices by 300%. If you're going to the 2026 game at MetLife, look for hotels in Secaucus or even further out in Morristown and take the train. Don't even try to stay at the "official" team hotels unless you have a very large trust fund or a lot of points.
- The Weather: It’s December in the Northeast. It might be 50 degrees and sunny, or it might be a horizontal sleet storm. I’ve been to games where the beer froze in the cup. Dress in layers. Then add two more layers.
The Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy Factor
You can't look at the schedule without looking at the other two games that matter: Army vs. Air Force and Navy vs. Air Force. These happen earlier in the season (usually October and November).
The outcome of those games dictates the "stakes" for the December finale. If Air Force has already beaten one of them, the December game becomes a battle to either win the trophy outright or create a three-way tie where the previous winner retains it. There is nothing more heartbreaking than Navy beating Army but watching the trophy go back to Colorado Springs because of a tie.
Practical Logistics for Game Day
If you’re actually going, here is the "pro tip" list that most travel blogs miss:
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- The Train is King: Whether it’s Philly or Jersey, do not drive to the stadium. The traffic is a special kind of hell involving thousands of people who don't know where they’re going. Use SEPTA in Philly or NJ Transit for MetLife.
- Security is Tight: You are at a stadium with the Secretary of Defense, often the President, and dozens of high-ranking generals. The security screening is not like a regular Sunday NFL game. It’s intense. Clear bags only, and expect to be patted down.
- The "Prison Exchange": This is a fun tradition you should look for. It happens before the game. "Exchange" students (midshipmen spending a semester at West Point and vice versa) are "returned" to their home academies. It’s a lighthearted moment in a day that is otherwise very intense.
Why the Schedule Stays "Old School"
In an era where college football is changing every five minutes—realignment, NIL, transfer portals—the Army-Navy game is a stubborn holdout. The army navy football game schedule remains a fixed point in a chaotic world. It’s played at a neutral site because neither academy stadium is big enough to hold the crowd, but also because the game belongs to the whole country, not just Annapolis or West Point.
The television contract with CBS is one of the longest-running partnerships in sports. While other games move to streaming services or obscure cable channels, you can count on this game being on "big" CBS on that second Saturday of December. It’s a comfort thing.
Actionable Steps for Planning Your Trip
Don't just wing it. If you want to experience this, follow this timeline:
- 12 Months Out: Decide which year you want to attend based on the city. (2026: East Rutherford, 2027: Landover, 2028: Philadelphia).
- 9 Months Out: Book a "refundable" hotel room. This is the biggest money-saver. Prices only go up from here.
- 6 Months Out: Start monitoring the secondary ticket market. Prices often dip briefly in the summer when people realize they have weddings or other commitments and need to offload their seats.
- 1 Month Out: Join some of the "Army-Navy" fan groups on social media. People often trade parking passes and tailgate spots there.
The game is a bucket-list item for a reason. It’s the pageantry, the flyovers (one from the Navy, one from the Army), and the fact that at the end of the game, both teams sing each other's alma maters. It’s the only time in sports where the losers stand with the winners in total respect. If you get your timing right on the schedule, you’re in for the best day in sports.
Check your calendar for December 12, 2026. Start looking at those North Jersey hotel options now before the rest of the world remembers the game exists.