Army and Navy to clash in 125th meeting as President-elect Trump looks on with key political figures

The Army Black Knights and Navy Midshipmen are set to face each other on Saturday for the 125th rendition of the Army-Navy game, but this year’s matchup is surrounded by a lot of buzz – both because of its participants and because of what’s at stake.

For the first time ever, both programs enter the game with a combined 19 wins. With Army playing in the American Athletic Conference this season, both teams have spent time in the Top 25. This will be their first meeting this season and will be a non-conference game.

It will be cheering them on President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance and several other important guests.

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Read below for more on this year’s Army-Navy game.

What is at stake?

In addition to bragging rights for their respective military academies, this year’s matchup marks the first time since 2017 that the winner will have a chance to secure the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy, thanks to Army and Navy victories over Air Force this season. It’s also the first time since 2017 that both teams will enter the game after clinching bowl games.

Army won its first conference title earlier this month after a victory over Tulane in the AAC Championship Game, putting a bow on their 11-1 record this season. But that performance pales in comparison to what is at stake on Saturday.

“It’s a game and a season all by itself,” Army coach Jeff Monken said Tuesday. “We’ve had a good year. You make it a great year by winning this game coming up on Saturday. Honestly, that’s just the way it goes around here.”

The feeling is mutual for the navy.

“Oklahoma’s not thinking about us right now because it’s all Army-Navy,” linebacker Colin Ramos said of the Midshipmen’s Bowl game. “This is our No. 1 objective, and then we have about a week and a half, two weeks — whatever it is — to prepare. Right now it’s Army-Navy.”

With an 8-3 record, Navy had its first winning season since 2019. But head coach Brian Newberry is prepared for what lies ahead, calling this Army program “the most complete, well-rounded Army football team, the best Army football team ” can remember.

JD VANCE CONFIRMS DANIEL PENNY WILL ATTEND ARMY-NAVY GAME AFTER SUBWAY CHOKEHOLD ACQUISITION

Trump, Vance prepare for game day

After being elected the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump will make his fifth appearance at the Army-Navy game, where he will be joined by Vice President-elect JD Vance. Two familiar sources told Fox News Digital that the Republican Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida will also be in attendance.

separately, confirmed a source to Fox News Digital that Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth will also be in attendance as Trump’s guest.

Vance also confirmed Friday that Daniel Penny, the Marine veteran found not guilty in the subway death of Jordan Neely, had accepted his invitation to attend the football game as his guest.

“Daniel is a good guy and New York’s mob district attorney tried to ruin his life for having a backbone,” Vance wrote in a post on X. “I’m grateful he accepted my invitation and hope he’s in able to have fun and appreciate how much his fellow citizens admire his courage.”

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When: Saturday, 3:00 PM ET

Where: Northwest Stadium, Landover, Maryland

Where to see: CBS

Overall record: The Navy leads 62–55–7

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