ARMY-NAVY GAME TRADITIONS THAT EVERY FAN SHOULD KNOW

Every year, the Navy Midshipmen and the Army Black Knights come together but their mission is at odds with one another—each is vying to win one of college football’s most storied rivalry games. With the shift to a 12-team playoff and realignments, many had wondered how the Army-Navy Game would continue; however, the tradition remains and is more intense than it has been in many years. Below, we’re breaking down the Army-Navy Game traditions every college football fan should know.

What Are the Army-Navy Game Traditions?

From the week leading up to the matchup to the game itself and much more, the Army-Navy Game continues to deliver time-honored traditions. Here are the Army-Navy Game traditions you can expect when West Point and the Naval Academy meet:

Spirit Spots

"Go Army, Beat Navy" or "Go Navy, Beat Army" are chants both sides will understand well. The respect is there but if you don’t think a barrage of trash-talking isn’t a part of this contest, think again.

One way fans participate is by creating “spirit spots” leading up to the game—short videos from alumni and students alike taunting their opponent, cheering their side, or both.

This can be a simple video on social media or a full-on media production. No matter your ranking, being in a spirit spot comes with the territory. You can find plenty of examples from both sides on YouTube.

Pregame Flyovers

Having a flyover before a football game is pretty common, but for the Army-Navy Game, things can be ramped up that much more.

Both sides are here to show up and show out, and the flyover tradition will bring out the big guns, including UH-60 Black Hawks, Apache helicopters, F-35 fighter jets, and even the world-famous Blue Angels, who have been known to make an appearance.

The Prisoner Exchange

Army-Navy Game traditions don’t get much more involved than the infamous prisoner exchange. The way it works is simple:

• West Point and the USNA each select students who go to class at the other branch’s campus for a semester, helping interservice relationships grow.

• However, each still needs to represent their own side come game day.

• Before kickoff, each side from their rival to their respective branch to watch the game with their fellow supporters.

The March On

Speaking of involved Army-Navy Game traditions, an interesting pregame ritual is the march on, where Cadets and Midshipmen get in formation and march across the field.

To be clear here, this isn’t for just the teams, both student bodies get involved and march on and off as support for their teams and a show of force in the future members of our military.

The Army-Navy Game Itself

It’s worth noting that the Army-Navy Game itself is a wonderful tradition that has been a part of college football since near the very beginning.

Seeing as the first college football game is considered to have taken place on November 6, 1869, between Rutgers and New Jersey, the Black Knights and Midshipmen have been involved for most of the sport’s history, first kicking off on November 29, 1890.

There have been some disruptions, including an argument between an Army General and a Navy Admiral that almost ended in a duel, however, the series holds strong, is a time-honored spectacle, and has led to many interesting matchups over the years.

Sing Second and Honoring the Fallen

Everyone wants to “Sing Second” as arguably the most well-known Army-Navy Game tradition is the ultimate sign of victory and respect.

Both teams come together in a tradition known as “Honoring the Fallen” where they sing their alma mater in front of everyone.

However, the order matters. If you lose, you’re up first, which is why everyone wants to Sing Second.

Army-Navy Game Traditions: The Location

Where the game takes place is also somewhat of a tradition and if you’re on the West Coast, we have some bad news.

In 1983, the Rose Bowl hosted the event, but it’s literally the only time a site west of the Mississippi River has had the honor.

Furthermore, if you’re looking to watch the game at either service academy, you’re unlikely to do so. It’s only been done six times in history and twice it was during World War II.

New York's Polo Grounds have held the game the most but the game hasn’t been held there since the 1920s.

The latest renditions of the Army-Navy Game traditions will be on full display at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD, on Saturday, December 14, 2024, when both sides meet up for a matchup you won’t want to miss.

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