What Stadium is the Army-Navy Game Played in?
The Army-Navy Game is an annual American college football rivalry game played between the United States Military Academy (Army) and the United States Naval Academy (Navy). This game is considered one of the most storied and respected traditions in college football. The question, "What stadium is the Army-Navy Game played in?" may seem straightforward, but there’s a surprising twist to this tale.
A Longstanding Tradition
For most of its history, the Army-Navy Game has been played on a rotating basis between West Point, New York (home of the U.S. Military Academy) and Annapolis, Maryland (home of the U.S. Naval Academy). Traditionally, the game alternates between the two locations, with the academy with the worse record in the previous season’s game hosting the game.
Here is the rotation for the Army-Navy Game in the recent years:
- 2020: Annapolis, MD (Navy’s home)
- 2019: West Point, NY (Army’s home)
- 2018: Baltimore, MD (at M&T Bank Stadium)
- 2017: San Antonio, TX (at Alamodome)
- 2016: Philadelphia, PA (at Lincoln Financial Field)
Playing Host
As the hosting team for the 2020 Army-Navy Game, Navy’s Alumni Memorial Stadium has a rich history of hosting this esteemed rivalry. Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the stadium was first opened in 1959 and has a seating capacity of around 33,000.
Away Games and Exceptions
On a few occasions, the game has been played away from both campuses. The 1981 game, for example, was held at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, while the 1989 game took place at Spartan Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Another exception to the hosting tradition occurred in 2002 when the game was moved to Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia due to a dispute over renovations to Lincoln Financial Field (the original location scheduled for that year). Similarly, in 2013, the game was shifted to Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium to celebrate the game’s 113th anniversary and the "All-Air Force Salute to All Veterans."
Why an Alternative Stadium?
With both the West Point and Annapolis stadiums serving their primary functions for academic and other purposes, alternative stadiums can be a solution for larger audiences or other logistical challenges. These exception scenarios help accommodate the thousands of attendees from both campuses, including faculty, students, alumni, and coaches, without interfering with daily activities on both campuses.
Logistics and Hosting Considerations
The following points outline key factors the USNA and USMA consider when determining the venue for the annual game:
• Safety and Accessibility: A central location helps ensure attendees can safely attend the event from both academies, and also considering logistical aspects, such as parking and accessibility for participants, attendees, and medical staff.
• Scalability and Seating Capacity: Large venues accommodate a more comprehensive and more varied group of spectators.
• Parking and Event Facilities: Viable and conveniently accessible event spaces make for an easier experience, as opposed to parking at one academy only to make a trip back to campus for some, especially elderly veterans and wheelchair-bound visitors.
• History, Tradition, and Pride: For an institution as significant as the US Military and US Navy academies, honoring traditions like this unique game has value. Each team brings with it distinct and special values that enrich the spirit of competition, loyalty, and respect.
