For anyone discovering college football from the UK, there is one game that stands apart from all others. The Army vs Navy Game is not just a rivalry. It is a tradition that stretches back more than a century and represents everything unique about American college football.

Even if your main focus is the Miami Hurricanes, this is a fixture worth understanding and watching. It is football stripped back to its core, wrapped in history, pride and respect.


A Rivalry Older Than Almost Every Game

The first Army vs Navy game was played in 1890, making it one of the oldest rivalries in American sport. Since then, the two academies have met 124 times, with Navy holding a narrow lead in the all-time series.

Navy leads the series with 62 wins

Army has 55 wins

7 games have ended in a draw


The game has been played through world wars, national crises and massive changes in the sport. It has remained a constant on the college football calendar.


Why Army vs Navy Is So Special

The March On

Before kick off, the full student bodies of both academies march into the stadium in formation. Thousands of cadets and midshipmen in uniform fill the stands, creating an atmosphere unlike anything else in sport.

The Style of Football

Army and Navy are famous for their run heavy, option based offences. While most college teams now spread the field and throw the ball, this game is about discipline, physicality and execution.

Singing Second

After the final whistle, both teams stay on the field. The losing academy sings its alma mater first. The winning academy sings second. It is a powerful moment that symbolises respect between rivals.

The Prisoner Exchange

Each year, a small number of cadets and midshipmen spend a term studying at the rival academy. Before the game, they are exchanged at midfield to loud cheers from both sides. It is one of the most recognisable traditions in college football.


Memorable Moments from the Rivalry

Some highlights from the long history include:

1926: A 21–21 draw watched by over 110,000 fans, often cited as one of the greatest early college football games ever played

The Staubach era: Navy legend Roger Staubach led the Midshipmen in the early 1960s, bringing national attention to the rivalry

2001: Played months after the September 11 attacks, the game became a symbol of unity across the country

2016: Army snapped a 14 year losing streak, producing one of the most emotional celebrations in rivalry history


Close finishes and dramatic moments are common, with many games decided by a single score.



This Year’s Army vs Navy Game

The 2025 edition of the rivalry is officially set.

Date: Saturday 13 December 2025

Kick off: 3:00 pm ET

UK Time: 8:00 pm GMT

Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

TV: Nothing on DAZN


The location in Baltimore places the game close to both West Point and Annapolis, keeping the traditional neutral site feel.

This year’s matchup once again carries significant pride, with both teams also battling for position in the race for the Commander in Chief’s Trophy, which is awarded based on results between Army, Navy and Air Force.


Extra Facts UK Fans Might Enjoy

The phrases “Go Army, Beat Navy” and “Go Navy, Beat Army” are used year round on both campuses

Players from both teams will begin military service shortly after graduating

Service academies do not operate NIL deals or transfer portals in the same way as other programmes

Special uniform designs inspired by military history are revealed each year and are a major talking point

Why UK Fans Should Watch

Army vs Navy is the perfect entry point for understanding college football culture. It is slower paced than most modern games but packed with meaning, emotion and tradition. You do not need to know every rule or scheme to enjoy it.

If you want to understand why college football matters so deeply to so many people, this is the game to watch.


The Last Word from Across the Pond

Army vs Navy is more than football. It is a ritual that brings together history, rivalry and respect in a way no other game can. For fans discovering the sport from the UK, it offers a rare glimpse into the soul of college football. If you watch one non Miami game this season, make it this one.