Army-Navy Game moving to West Point from Philadelphia

Due to the lack of crowds allowed at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, the Army-Navy Game in 2020 will move to Michie Stadium at West Point, the home of the Army Black Knights.

A release from NavySports.com confirmed the news:

“As has been decided, we will not be able to visit the home of Army-Navy this December,” said Gladchuk. “History will repeat itself as we stage this cherished tradition on Academy grounds as was the case dating back to World War II. Every effort was made to create a safe and acceptable environment for the Brigade, the Corps and our public while meeting city and state requirements. However, medical conditions and protocols dictate the environment in which we live. Therefore, on to the safe haven of West Point on Dec. 12 and let it ring true that even in the most challenging of times, the spirit and intent of the Brigade of Midshipmen and Corps of Cadets still prevails.”

”For service academies, athletic competition is essential to developing tough, resilient leaders with competitive mindsets who are prepared to serve our country in uniform. There is no better representation of that than the Army-Navy Football Game each year,” said Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Admiral Sean Buck. ”We will miss the warm welcome the City of Philadelphia provides to Army and Navy fans, however, we are thrilled to continue this longstanding tradition by playing the 121st Army-Navy Game at Michie Stadium at West Point this year.”

For current academy students and alumni, so much a part of the Army-Navy experience is having your entire class with you in the stands. Hoping to “sing last” is the goal for both teams 365 days a year, and ensuring that all Midshipmen and Cadets will be able to participate allows this move to make sense.

Navy won last year’s battle 31-7 behind star senior quarterback Malcolm Perry, their first win in the series in four tries. Prior to that the Mids had won 14 in a row and 16 out of 17 between 1999-2015.

The game has been played on campus only six times previously: During World War II in 1942-43, and the first four games in the historic rivalry from 1890-1893. It is scheduled for MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey for 2021, and then back to its traditional home of Philadelphia for 2020.

The City of Brotherly Love has hosted 89 of the 120 games in series history.