The Army–Navy Game is one of the most iconic and enduring rivalries in college football, steeped in over a century of tradition and competition. First played in 1890, this historic matchup is more than just a game, it symbolizes the spirit of American patriotism, sacrifice, and pride. With each contest, the intensity and passion on display reflect the values that both the U.S. Military Academy (Army) and U.S. Naval Academy (Navy) instill in their cadets and midshipmen.
As the culmination of a season filled with both academic and athletic challenges, the game is a tribute to the dedication of those who serve and represents the unique bond between these two service academies. Each year, the Army–Navy Game captivates fans and military personnel alike, uniting them in celebration of shared values, competitive excellence, and unwavering commitment to duty. It is not just a rivalry; it is a cherished American tradition that transcends the field of play.
Game Details
The 126th Army–Navy Game is set for Saturday, December 13, 2025, and once again serves as the climactic finale to the college football regular season. This year’s matchup between the Navy Midshipmen and Army Black Knights will take place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, a neutral‑site venue that has become a traditional home for this historic rivalry.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and the game will be broadcast nationally on CBS. Fans looking to stream the action live can do so through Paramount+ Premium, the CBS Sports App, or CBSSports.com.
Because the Army–Navy Game draws such widespread interest every year, tickets are in exceptionally high demand. As of June 2025, official ticket inventory for the game had already sold out, reflecting the matchup’s popularity among alumni, military families, and college football fans alike. However, resale tickets may still be found through secondary marketplaces such as SeatGeek, StubHub, and VividSeats, though prices can vary significantly due to high demand.
With both academies enjoying strong seasons and a coveted Commander‑in‑Chief’s Trophy on the line, this year’s game promises not just tradition but real stakes and competitive intrigue.
Navy Midshipmen Overview
Team History and Recent Accomplishments
The Navy Midshipmen football program represents the U.S. Naval Academy in NCAA Division I FBS competition and has a rich tradition dating back more than a century. Known for its disciplined style and historic rivalries, especially against Army and Air Force, the team has produced numerous memorable seasons and respected service academy football legacies. For 2025, Navy has enjoyed one of its strongest campaigns in recent years, featuring a 9‑2 record in the regular season and ranking among the top teams nationally in scoring offense.
Head coach Brian Newberry has led the Midshipmen to consistent success within the American Athletic Conference, with the team securing a Liberty Bowl berth following its strong regular season performance.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Navy emerged as one of the most effective offensive teams in the country, averaging over 32 points per game while demonstrating consistent efficiency in both the run and pass game. Their 9‑2 record reflects a balanced blend of scoring prowess and resilience in close contests against quality opponents.
The Midshipmen play their home games at Navy‑Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, a historic venue that has hosted countless memorable moments in Navy football history.
Key Players to Watch
Blake Horvath (QB) – The senior quarterback has been the centerpiece of Navy’s offense, combining efficient passing with dynamic rushing ability. Horvath’s leadership and dual‑threat skill set have kept defenses off balance all season.
Eli Heidenreich (WR/RB) – A versatile offensive weapon, Heidenreich contributes both as a receiver and rusher, making him a matchup problem for opposing defenses.
Alex Tecza (FB) – A powerful fullback with multiple 100‑yard rushing games, Tecza has consistently provided tough yardage and scoring opportunities.
Defensive Standouts – Defensive leaders such as Landon Robinson and linebacker MarcAnthony Parker anchor a unit capable of making disruptive plays, particularly in run defense and on the line of scrimmage.
Strengths
- High‑Scoring Offense: Navy’s offense ranks among the nation’s best, averaging more than 32 points per game with a balanced attack that keeps defenses guessing.
- Experienced Leadership: With several key senior contributors on both sides of the ball, Navy boasts veteran leadership that has helped guide the team through a demanding schedule.
Weaknesses
- Pass Defense: While Navy’s offense has been explosive, the defense has at times struggled to contain prolific aerial attacks, with opposing teams finding success through the air.
- Secondary Depth: Limited production in interceptions and struggles in pass coverage have occasionally allowed big plays against the Midshipmen, placing extra pressure on the front seven.
Army Black Knights Overview
Team History and Accomplishments
The Army Black Knights football program represents the United States Military Academy at West Point in NCAA Division I FBS competition and has been a cornerstone of service‑academy athletics for well over a century. Known for its disciplined approach and storied traditions, Army has cultivated a reputation for physical play and strategic excellence, especially under longtime head coach Jeff Monken, who is in his 12th season with the team in 2025. Early in the decade, the Black Knights enjoyed historic highs, including a 12‑win campaign and a conference title in 2024, which set expectations for continued success this season.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Army compiled a 6–5 overall record with a 4–4 mark in American Conference play, earning bowl eligibility and a scheduled matchup in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl against UConn on December 27, 2025.
The Black Knights’ season has been defined by resilience. After a surprising loss to FCS opponent Tarleton State early in the campaign, Army responded with key wins — including an upset over Kansas State and late‑season victories that propelled them to a winning record heading into the rivalry showdown with Navy.
Offensively, Army operates one of the nation’s most extreme triple‑option attacks, which emphasizes rushing and clock control. Despite ranking near the bottom of FBS in passing yards, the ground game has powered the offense and kept opponents off balance throughout the season.
Defensively, the Black Knights have steadily improved over the second half of the year, limiting many opponents to 24 points or fewer and showcasing a rugged front seven.
Key Players to Watch
- Cale Hellums (QB): Stepping into the starting role, Hellums has become the centerpiece of Army’s offense, leading the team in rushing with over 1,000 yards while effectively executing the triple‑option scheme.
- Noah Short (RB/Slot): A versatile offensive weapon who contributes significantly both as a runner and receiver out of the backfield.
- Brady Anderson (WR): A key playmaker in the passing game, Anderson has provided important clutch plays and helped open space in option formations.
- Andon Thomas (LB): A defensive leader whose tackling and field awareness anchor Army’s front seven.
Strengths
- Dominant Rushing Attack: Army consistently ranks among the nation’s top teams in rushing yards per game thanks to its triple‑option offense and disciplined execution.
- Time‑of‑Possession Control: By controlling the clock with long, methodical drives, Army limits opposing offenses and keeps pressure off its own defense.
- Improved Defense: In the latter part of the season, the Black Knights have tightened up their defensive consistency, restricting scoring and providing opportunities for the offense to capitalize.
Weaknesses
- Passing Game Limitations: Army ranks near the bottom of FBS in passing yardage and attempts, which can make it difficult to rally from large deficits or adapt in tightly contested passing situations.
- Offensive Predictability: While the triple option is effective at controlling games, it can become predictable when defenses key in on the run, occasionally stalling drives.
- Secondary Depth: The Black Knights’ pass defense has shown vulnerability at times, especially when protecting late‑game leads or facing teams with balanced offensive attacks.
Significance of the Game
Historical Rivalry
The Army–Navy Game is one of the oldest and most iconic rivalries in American sports, dating back to November 29, 1890, when the first contest was played between the United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy. It has become a cornerstone of college football tradition, with both programs showcasing a unique blend of discipline, strategy, and service‑driven pride that sets this matchup apart from typical conference rivalries. Over more than a century of competition, the game has maintained its stature not just as a football contest, but as a storied national event.
Commander‑in‑Chief’s Trophy
Since 1972, the Army–Navy Game has served as the final chapter in the Commander‑in‑Chief’s Trophy series, a round‑robin competition between Army, Navy, and the Air Force Falcons that awards a prized championship to the academy with the best record among the three teams.
This year, both Army and Navy have already beaten Air Force, making the 2025 matchup a winner‑take‑all battle for the trophy. Victory not only delivers bragging rights between the academies, but also adds a tangible prize that symbolizes superiority across service academy football for the season.
Emotional and National Importance
Beyond rankings and records, the Army–Navy Game resonates deeply with the American public and military communities alike. It embodies the values of teamwork, sacrifice, and resilience, and is often attended or acknowledged by senior military leaders.
For many alumni, cadets, and midshipmen, the game serves as a celebration of service and a unifying event that transcends sport. Every December, this rivalry attracts national attention not just for its pageantry and intensity, but for its role in honoring the commitments of those who serve.
Keys to Victory
What Navy Needs to Do
To secure a win in the 2025 Army–Navy Game, the Navy Midshipmen must lean into what has made them successful all season: a dominant rushing attack and explosive offensive balance. Navy ranks among the nation’s top rushing offenses, averaging over 280 rushing yards per game, and this ability to control the ground game forces opposing defenses to defend the entire field. Establishing early ground rhythm will help Navy control time of possession, keep Army’s offense off the field, and leverage their physicality up front. Navy must also limit turnovers and third‑down stops, as mistakes could hand momentum to a disciplined Army unit. By executing its run game effectively and mixing in timely play‑action, the Midshipmen can dictate the pace and keep the Black Knights off balance.
What Army Needs to Do
The Army Black Knights will need to play to their strengths: ball control and clock management via their triple‑option offense. Army’s ground game consistently ranks among the nation’s best, and its ability to sustain long drives eats clock while keeping Navy’s offense sidelined.
To win, Army must convert short‑yardage situations, dominate the trenches, and limit negative plays that stall drives. Defensively, Army needs to disrupt Navy’s rhythm early, especially by containing the Midshipmen’s rushing attack and forcing them into uncomfortable passing situations—something Navy has historically been less efficient at.
Winning the turnover battle and minimizing mistakes will be crucial for Army to stay competitive in a game where field position and ball control matter most.
X‑Factors to Watch
A few game‑deciding elements could tilt the outcome: Navy’s quarterback Blake Horvath — whose dual‑threat playmaking opens big‑play potential, could be decisive if he extends drives and finds explosive gains. For Army, ball security and situational execution in the triple option will be paramount. Weather, often a factor in December games in Baltimore, could also play a role: challenging conditions tend to favor the ground‑oriented offense that both teams run. Whichever team handles adversity, penalties, turnovers, or special teams swings — will have a significant edge in this tight rivalry contest.
How to Watch
Live TV & Streaming Options
The 126th Army–Navy Game will be televised nationally on CBS with kickoff at 3:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 13, 2025 from M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. This broadcast makes it easy for fans across the country to tune in without needing specialty sports packages.
For viewers who prefer streaming, the game will be available live on Paramount+ with the Paramount+ Premium plan, which carries the live CBS feed. You can also stream via the CBS Sports App or CBSSports.com with valid credentials.
Where to Watch Locally or Alternatives
Fans without cable can stream the game live on services that include CBS in their lineup, such as YouTube TV or Fubo, where available. Additionally, local over‑the‑air CBS stations can broadcast the game with a digital antenna in many U.S. markets.
Whether at home, on mobile, or watching with friends at a local sports bar, there are multiple legitimate options to catch all the action live.
Conclusion
As the 126th Army–Navy Game approaches on December 13, 2025, the stage is set for another chapter in one of college football’s most revered rivalries — one that dates back to 1890 and has become a national sporting tradition that transcends wins and losses. This year’s matchup carries real stakes as both the Commander‑in‑Chief’s Trophy and deep pride loom large, with Army and Navy each looking to finish their season on the highest note.
For players, coaches, and fans alike, this game represents more than a regular season finale; it’s a celebration of service, discipline, and the competitive spirit that defines both academies. Whether you’re cheering on the Black Knights or the Midshipmen, the passion on display — from the march‑ons to the final whistle — will highlight why the Army–Navy Game remains one of America’s most enduring sporting traditions.
Anticipation is high as the nation prepares for a historic clash in Baltimore that promises pride, pageantry, and unforgettable football.