The Army-Navy game is slated to take place at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, December 9 at 3 PM. This is the first time for the historic football game to take place in New England since it was first played in 1890 New York.
The Navy Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy defeated the Army Black Knights of the United States Military Academy 24-0 in the first Army-Navy Game played at West Point.
Army-Navy game comes to Gillette Stadium
The USMA from West Point, New York, and the USNA from Annapolis, Maryland will faceoff for a historic Gillette Stadium debut. The Army-Navy game is one of football’s most iconic and enduring rivalries. The annual faceoff traditionally takes place the Saturday after Thanksgiving in Philadelphia. 90 out of the 124 games took place in Philly.
In 1891, the Army-Navy game took place outside of Philly. Since, the Army-Navy game traveled to Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois, and California! The 2023 game takes place at Gillette, bringing it to New England for the first time. The game will continue to travel to the following stadiums over the next four years:
- FedEx Field (Hyattsville, Maryland) -2024
- M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore, Maryland)- 2025
- MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey) -2026
- Lincoln Finacial Field (Philadelphia)- 2027
Navy currently leads the series 62-54-7.
Friday’s Patriot Games
Preceding the Army-Navy game, Meet Boston will host the inaugural “Patriot Games” to encourage some friendly competition.
In addition to games and races, the day will be highlighted by a parade that begins and ends in Faneuil Hall, concluding with a pep rally before the participating cadets and midshipmen head to Charlestown for a relay race.
We cannot wait to welcome visitors from across the U.S. and across the world for this iconic sporting event. We welcome everyone to not only enjoy the game in Foxborough, but also explore everything Greater Boston has to offer,” said Martha J. Sheridan, Meet Boston President and CEO. “We encourage all of our residents to participate in these celebrations and enlist as volunteers for our Patriot Games on December 8. In addition to hosting America’s Game, a week later we will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. What a week it will be!
If you prefer to watch the action rather than be in the midst of it, Meet Boston is currently seeking volunteers to help with the Patriots Games.
The Patriot Games events are as follows and all are welcome (no advance registration is required):
- 8 a.m.: Tug of War (near Old North Bridge), Minuteman National Park
- 9:30 a.m.: Leadership Reaction Course (Soldiers & Sailors Monument), Boston Common
- 11 a.m.: Parade, Faneuil Hall
- 11:30 a.m. Army-Navy Pep Rally, Faneuil Hall and Pull Up Competition
- 1:30 p.m.: Relay Race, Charlestown Navy Yard (from the Navy Yard to the top of Bunker Hill, past Soldiers Memorial and end at the USS Constitution)
- 6:30 p.m.: Tree Lighting at USS Constitution