The 126th Army-Navy Game is set for December 13, 2025, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. This storied rivalry continues to captivate fans as the Army Black Knights face off against the Navy Midshipmen. Navy currently leads the all-time series with a record of 63 wins, 55 losses, and 7 ties, and they aim to defend their title after winning last year’s contest 31-13.
The significance of this matchup is evident in the players’ commitment to the rivalry. Army linebacker Gavin Shields emphasized the year-long preparation, stating, “We say ‘Beat Navy’ for 365 days of the year. It’s the whole motto of our team.” Jeff Monken, the Army head coach, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the unique challenges posed by their academy rivals. “This game is thought about far more than just the days leading up to it,” he noted, underlining the strategic complexities involved.
Both teams have had strong seasons outside of this rivalry. The Black Knights have earned a spot in the Fenway Bowl, while the Midshipmen secured a bid to the Liberty Bowl. Navy’s performance in the American Conference included a tie for first place, although they missed the conference title game due to tiebreakers. Last year, Army clinched their first conference title in program history, finishing with 11 wins.
While the Army-Navy Game garners immense attention, it is the players’ performances throughout the season that shape their legacies. Navy receiver Nathan Kent remarked, “If you don’t win Army-Navy, your season is considered kind of a loss when you think about it.” He noted that even with nine wins, a loss in this game would overshadow their accomplishments.
This year’s game returns to Baltimore for the first time since 2016, following a Navy victory in Landover last season. CBS will broadcast the event, continuing a tradition that has lasted since 1996. This year marks a record 17th appearance for analyst Gary Danielson, who is retiring after this season. He holds the record for the most televised Army-Navy games, surpassing previous commentator Verne Lundquist who covered the game 11 times.
The outcome of this game holds particular significance as it will determine the winner of the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy, awarded annually to the service academy with the best record in head-to-head matchups among Army, Navy, and Air Force. Navy won the trophy last year by sweeping the other two academies, but both Army and Navy have secured narrow victories over Air Force this season, making this weekend’s game a winner-takes-all scenario.
Historically, Army has struggled against ranked Navy teams, having not defeated one since 1955. Notably, Navy quarterback Blake Horvath and Army linebacker Andon Thomas were finalists for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy, also known as the Academic Heisman. Although the honor went to Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers, Horvath made headlines by becoming the first quarterback in the Football Bowl Subdivision to record 1,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing in consecutive seasons since Lamar Jackson and Quinton Flowers achieved the feat in 2016 and 2017.
As anticipation builds for this iconic matchup, fans and players alike are reminded of the deep-rooted traditions and rivalries that define college football. The Army-Navy Game is more than just a contest; it is a celebration of sportsmanship, dedication, and the unwavering spirit of the service academies.
