Trump Signs Order Protecting Army-Navy Football Game

Executive order blocks college football playoff games from competing with annual rivalry matchup.

Mar. 20, 2026 at 11:53pm

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President Donald Trump signed an executive order to preserve the annual Army-Navy football game's traditional time slot, blocking any college football playoff or other postseason games from being broadcast during the four-hour window traditionally reserved for the rivalry matchup.

Why it matters

The Army-Navy game is considered one of the most storied traditions in college football, with the service academies' annual clash dating back to 1890. Trump's order aims to protect this longstanding tradition from being overshadowed by the expansion of the College Football Playoff and other high-profile postseason games.

The details

Trump's 'Preserving America's Game' executive order states that 'no college football game, specifically college football's CFP or other postseason games, be broadcast in a manner that directly conflicts with the Army‑Navy Game.' The president signed the order during a White House visit by the Naval Academy football team, who had defeated Army in a close 17-16 game the previous December.

  • Trump signed the executive order on March 20, 2026 during the Naval Academy's White House visit.
  • The Army-Navy game is traditionally played on the second Saturday in December.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who signed the executive order to protect the Army-Navy football game's traditional time slot.

Brian Newberry

The head coach of the Navy football team, who thanked Trump for signing the order to preserve the 'sanctity' of the Army-Navy rivalry game.

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What they’re saying

“The annual Army-Navy game is truly one of the most special occasions in all of sports, but in recent years, the College Football Playoff expansion has encroached on this sacred four-hour time slot traditionally reserved for Army-Navy.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

“Thank you for signing that executive order and protecting the sanctity of the Army-Navy game. It's a game with a soul, and it deserves to be protected. Thank you very much.”

— Brian Newberry, Navy Football Head Coach

What’s next

The executive order will go into effect immediately, ensuring the Army-Navy game's traditional time slot is preserved for the foreseeable future.

The takeaway

President Trump's executive action underscores the cultural significance of the Army-Navy football rivalry, which transcends the sport itself. By protecting the game's hallowed time slot, the president aims to safeguard a cherished American tradition from being overshadowed by the growing commercialization of college football.