The future of the Army-Navy Game is facing uncertainty as discussions begin regarding its scheduling in light of the upcoming expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP). For more than 16 years, this storied rivalry has enjoyed a unique position, taking place in a standalone slot on the weekend following the conference championship games. However, with the CFP set to expand, it raises the critical question: how will this affect one of college football’s most cherished traditions?
Ben Portnoy from Sports Business Journal recently reported that conversations between Army and Navy have commenced about how the changes in playoff structure could impact their annual match-up. Historically, the game has stood alone on this particular weekend, which has allowed it to garner significant attention from fans and viewers alike. It's worth noting that the only exception occurred in 2020 when the pandemic forced a reshuffling of the football calendar, placing the game amidst a full slate of college football action.
Lieutenant General Steve Gilland, the superintendent of West Point, expressed a realistic outlook on the situation. He emphasized the importance of trying to preserve the game’s traditional time slot while acknowledging the inevitable changes brought on by the expansion of the CFP. "We must strive to maintain our standalone window, but we also recognize the realities of college football’s evolving landscape. This means adapting to new circumstances rather than insisting we can have our own day without considering the broader context," he stated.
As the college football environment becomes increasingly competitive, the Army-Navy Game faces new challenges. Traditionally, it was the only Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) game played on that day. However, this year, it shared the spotlight with the LA Bowl featuring FBS teams Boise State and Washington, marking a shift in the viewing landscape.
Since moving to its current standalone date, the Army-Navy Game has seen a remarkable increase in viewership. In 2008, it attracted fewer than three million viewers when it aired during the conference championship weekend. Following the scheduling change, viewership jumped to 5.6 million, with figures consistently climbing over the past decade to reach around 7-8 million on average. Last year's game achieved a significant milestone, attracting 9.4 million viewers—the highest audience since 1989.
Given that both teams are bowl eligible this season, the game’s conclusion was thrilling, coming down to the final minutes. Additionally, Nielsen has revised its viewership metrics in ways that typically favor sports broadcasts. Therefore, it would not be surprising if this year's game draws an even larger audience.
Interestingly, the only occasion since 2008 that the Army-Navy Game took place during a full college football Saturday—during that tumultuous 2020 season—it ended up being the most-watched game of the weekend. This was largely influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to multiple cancellations, including the high-profile Ohio State-Michigan match-up.
Regardless of whether the game remains on its current date or shifts to another part of the season, it will continue to be broadcast on CBS for the foreseeable future. The network extended its contract by an additional ten years last year, ensuring coverage through 2038.
What do you think about the potential changes to the Army-Navy Game? Will the expansion of the CFP dilute the significance of this iconic rivalry, or could it introduce new opportunities for exposure? Join the conversation and share your thoughts!
