Army, Navy Officials Clash Over Proposed Change to Rivalry Game

The annual matchup between the service academies could move from its traditional December slot.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Army football coach Jeff Monken has proposed moving the annual Army-Navy game from its traditional second weekend of December slot to the Thanksgiving weekend. However, Navy athletic director Michael Kelly has expressed opposition to the idea, citing concerns over potential revenue losses from viewership and sponsorship.

Why it matters

The Army-Navy game is one of college football's most storied rivalries, with a history dating back to 1890. Any changes to the game's scheduling could have significant implications for the sport's traditions and the two service academies' ability to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

The details

Monken suggested giving the Army-Navy game a four-hour block on Thanksgiving weekend, arguing it would help protect the game's history and prestige. However, Kelly pushed back, saying he believes moving the game would be "really detrimental" to its revenue potential from viewership and sponsorship. The game has been played in December since 1983, and the two schools have navigated various changes to college football over the decades to preserve the annual matchup.

  • The Army-Navy game has been played in December since 1983.
  • In 2026, the game is scheduled for December 12 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The players

Jeff Monken

Head coach of the Army football team, who has proposed moving the Army-Navy game to Thanksgiving weekend.

Michael Kelly

Athletic director of the Navy Midshipmen, who has expressed opposition to Monken's proposal.

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What they’re saying

“I think Army-Navy is a huge part of the history of college football, and what it is today, even. Give us a four-hour block on Thanksgiving, or on Friday of Thanksgiving, or on Saturday of Thanksgiving, and give us a four-hour block, and just say nobody else plays during this four-hour block. That's still protecting the game.”

— Jeff Monken, Head Coach, Army Football (The Athletic)

“I'm always open-minded to different options, but I'm not supportive of the Thanksgiving suggestion. I think that would be really detrimental to our revenue potential in terms of viewership and sponsorship.”

— Michael Kelly, Athletic Director, Navy Midshipmen (Capital Gazette)

What’s next

The two schools will likely continue to discuss the proposed scheduling change, with the final decision potentially impacting the future of the Army-Navy rivalry game.

The takeaway

The debate over the Army-Navy game's scheduling highlights the challenges of preserving college football's longstanding traditions in the face of a rapidly evolving sport. The outcome could have significant implications for the two service academies and their ability to compete at the highest levels of the game.