The 126th Army-Navy Game is set to take place on December 13, 2025, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. This storied rivalry draws immense attention each year, with the Navy Midshipmen currently leading the all-time series against the Army Black Knights, boasting a record of 63 wins, 55 losses, and 7 ties. Last year, Navy triumphed over Army, winning 31-13, marking Army’s last victory against a ranked Navy team back in 1955.
The anticipation surrounding the game is palpable, with players and coaches alike expressing its significance. “We say ‘Beat Navy’ for 365 days of the year,” stated Army linebacker Gavin Shields. This sentiment reflects the deep-rooted passion within both teams, as they prepare for what many consider the highlight of their football seasons. Army head coach Jeff Monken emphasized the unique challenges posed by academy matchups. “Defending them is different because they know us so well,” he explained.
Both teams have had successful seasons outside of their rivalry, receiving bowl game invitations. The Black Knights will participate in the Fenway Bowl, while the Midshipmen have secured a spot in the Liberty Bowl. Despite finishing tied for first in the American Conference, Navy narrowly missed the league title game due to tiebreaker rules. Meanwhile, Army claimed its first-ever conference title last year.
The significance of the Army-Navy Game extends beyond the season’s records. “If you don’t win Army-Navy, your season is considered kind of a loss,” said Navy receiver Nathan Kent. With nine wins already, a loss in this game would overshadow their otherwise successful season, much like Army’s 2023 season, where they had 11 victories but fell short in the rivalry matchup.
This year marks the second consecutive season the game will be hosted in Navy’s local area; last year it took place in Landover, Maryland. The upcoming game will be the first instance of Army-Navy in Baltimore since 2016. CBS will broadcast the game live, continuing a tradition it has maintained since 1996. Notably, analyst Gary Danielson will call his 17th Army-Navy game before retiring, holding the record for the most televised calls of this matchup.
The winner of this year’s game will take home the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy, awarded to the best team in the annual round-robin competition among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Navy currently holds the trophy after winning all their matchups last year. In an interesting twist, both Army and Navy recorded narrow victories over Air Force this season, ensuring that the upcoming game will determine the trophy’s fate.
On an individual level, both Navy quarterback Blake Horvath and Army linebacker Andon Thomas were finalists for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy, also known as the Academic Heisman. While the award ultimately went to Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers, Horvath made history this season by becoming the first quarterback in the Football Bowl Subdivision to achieve over 1,000 yards passing and rushing in back-to-back seasons, a feat last accomplished by Lamar Jackson in 2016 and Quinton Flowers in 2017.
As the teams gear up for this iconic battle, fans and players alike are reminded that victory in the Army-Navy Game is paramount, overshadowing all other achievements from the season. The game promises to be a high-stakes clash that encapsulates the spirit of college football and the fierce rivalry that has captured the hearts of many.
