Army Navy Game 2024: What Most People Get Wrong

Army Navy Game 2024: What Most People Get Wrong

If you were looking for the Army Navy game 2024, you probably already know it’s the biggest date on the military sports calendar. But there's a lot of noise out there about when and where it actually happened, especially with the 125th anniversary making things feel a bit more high-stakes than usual.

The game went down on Saturday, December 14, 2024.

It wasn't in Philadelphia. That's the first thing that tripped people up. Instead, the 125th meeting of the Black Knights and the Midshipmen took over Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland—just a stone's throw from the nation's capital.

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When is Army Navy Game 2024 taking place?

Honestly, the schedule for this game is almost always the same: the second Saturday in December. For 2024, that landed on the 14th. Kickoff was officially at 3:10 PM ET, though if you’ve ever been to one of these, you know the "real" start is hours earlier.

The "March On" is basically the soul of the event.

Watching the Corps of Cadets and the Brigade of Midshipmen take over the turf in perfect formation is something you don't see anywhere else in college football. It started around noon. If you missed that, you missed half the reason people fly across the country for this.

The 125th Anniversary: More Than Just a Game

This wasn't just another year. 125 years of history is a lot to carry.

Navy came into the 2024 matchup leading the all-time series 62-55-7. Army had been on a bit of a heater lately, winning six of the last eight, but the 2024 game flipped the script. Navy took it home with a 31-13 victory, largely thanks to a monster performance by quarterback Blake Horvath.

He was everywhere.

Horvath put up 311 total yards and accounted for four touchdowns. On the other side, Army’s Bryson Daily—who actually finished sixth in the Heisman voting—had a rougher afternoon, throwing three interceptions. It happens. Even the best have "off" days when the pressure of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy is on the line.

Why Landover?

A lot of fans were grumpy about it not being in Philly.
Philadelphia is the "neutral" home, halfway between West Point and Annapolis. But the academies have started moving the game around to different cities in the Northeast corridor. Landover (which most people just call D.C.) was the host for 2024.

It was only the second time the game had ever been played there. The last time was back in 2011.

Traditions You Shouldn't Ignore

If you're planning for next year or just catching up on what happened, you’ve gotta understand the "Sing Second" tradition. It’s the most respectful thing in sports.

After the final whistle, both teams stand together.

They sing the losing team's alma mater first, facing the losing student section. Then, they turn and sing the winner's song. To "sing second" is the ultimate goal. In 2024, that honor belonged to the Navy Midshipmen. They also secured the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for the first time since 2019, which is a massive deal considering they had to beat both Air Force and Army to get it.

The Uniform Factor

Every year, the uniforms are basically works of art.

  • Army wore threads honoring the 101st Airborne Division and their "Rendezvous with Destiny" at Bastogne.
  • Navy went with an "Astronaut" theme, celebrating the 54 graduates who have gone into space.

It's sorta crazy how much detail goes into these. We’re talking specific mission patches and helmet textures that mimic lunar surfaces.

Looking Ahead to 2025

If you missed the boat on the Army Navy game 2024, you should probably start looking at 2025. The game is heading back to M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

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The date is already set: December 13, 2025.

Tickets for these games usually sell out by May. No joke. If you aren't an alum or a season ticket holder, you're going to be hitting the secondary markets (like StubHub or SeatGeek) and paying a premium.

Next Steps for Fans:

  1. Mark your calendar: December 13, 2025, is the next big day.
  2. Check ticket windows: Start looking for 2025 ticket info in late winter/early spring.
  3. Plan for Baltimore: Hotel prices in the Inner Harbor spike the moment the game is officially "next," so booking early is a pro move.

The rivalry is 63-55-7 in favor of Navy now. Army is going to be hungry to claw that back in 2025.