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yesterday

Army–Navy Game Weighed for Early-Season Move as CFP Expansion Looms

Academy leaders emphasize preserving the rivalry’s standalone window as a national priority.

Image
A joined Army Navy choir sing the National Anthem before.the 126th Army-Navy game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
David Jensen_Getty Images

Overview

  • Army and Navy have begun early discussions about how potential College Football Playoff expansion could affect the rivalry’s long-held December date, according to Sports Business Journal reporting.
  • Expansion scenarios beyond 16 teams could push first-round playoff games into the second Saturday of December, directly challenging the game’s traditional exclusive slot.
  • The Sporting News proposes shifting the matchup to open the season in a Week 0 or pre–opening weekend showcase to preserve a singular national stage.
  • Navy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michael Borschulte called a standalone window “critical for our country,” and Army Superintendent Lt. Gen. Steve Gilland said tradition must be balanced with playoff realities.
  • The 2025 broadcast drew 7.84 million viewers on CBS after a 9.4 million audience in 2024, and CBS holds rights through 2038, yet no scheduling decision has been announced.