When was the first Army vs Navy football game? History and origin

In 2025 the two teams meet on the same day the first two bowl games will be played. The game will take place on Dec. 13 in Baltimore as Army look to surprise a strong Navy team this year.

The History of the Army vs Navy Game

The Army vs Navy Game is one of the oldest running sporting traditions in the United States. It is an American college football rivalry game that pits the Army Black Knights of the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York, against the Navy Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy (USNA) at Annapolis, Maryland. The Black Knights, Cadets, and Midshipmen each represent their respective service’s oldest officer commissioning sources.

In keeping with the tradition, the game has come to be seen as the very embodiment of the spirit of the inter-service rivalry of the United States Armed Forces. Frequently attended by sitting presidents, the game has been televised nationally each year since 1945. Most recently, CBS has televised the game since 1996 and has the rights to do so until 2028.

When did the Army vs Navy game begin?

The Army and Navy first met on the field of play on Nov. 29, 1890; however, the game has been played annually since 1930. There have, however, been cancellations on some occasions. The game was not played for four years, from 1894 to 1898. Additionally, the game was also not held once again in 1909 when the Army canceled all remaining games for their season following the death of a cadet who suffered an injury in an October game against Harvard.

There were also 1917 and 1918, when the game was canceled due to participation in World War I. The game was also canceled for the 1928-29 seasons when the two academies could not agree on players’ eligibility requirements, so the game did not take place.

The record, the venue, and other odds and ends

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Across their 125 past meetings, the Navy is on top with a record of 63 wins compared to the Army, who have come out victorious 55 times. There have been seven tied games.

Army will look to take a step closer to closing the gap today against their arch rivals in Baltimore.