Army-Navy Game presented by USAA in Philadelphia

Play Video Army-Navy Game presented by USAA, 2022. Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB.

Date January 10, 2024

Army-Navy Game presented by USAA in Philadelphia

Time and time again, Philadelphia has proven itself as a worthy host for major sporting events, including one of the country’s greatest traditions, the Army-Navy Game presented by USAA.

Known as “America’s Game,” the Cadets from West Point and the Midshipmen from Annapolis face off on the football field. Philadelphia is an ideal destination for its proximity to the two academies.

Philadelphia has proudly hosted the event 90 times in the game’s more than 123-year history. The Game will return to Philadelphia in 2027.

There are rows of officers representing the Army and Navy on the field inside of Lincoln Financial Field. The sky above is a light blue on the right, and white on the left. There are fans in the stands. There are people lining the sidelines of the field.

Army-Navy Game presented by USAA, 2022. Photo by J. Ryan for the PHLCVB.

The Patriot Games

This event is more than just a football game. It is an entire weekend jam-packed with contests and festivities. The competition between the Army and Navy starts with the Patriot Games, a two-day competition full of physical and mental challenges leading up to the main event. The events are held at landmarks and attractions throughout the city.

In Philadelphia, the Patriot Games begin with the “Rocky Relay.” Competitors race up the 72 famous “Rocky Steps” in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The contest tests participants’ strength and speed. Crowds of fans cheer on the runners as they ascend the stairs, carrying weights, and other team members on stretchers.

There are two groups posing for a picture in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. On the left, there is a group representing the Army behind a large sign that reads Army in all capital letters. On the right, there is a group of people representing the Navy behind a sign that reads Navy in all capital letters. In the middle, a Rocky impersonator stands with his fist in the air. Some of the individuals on either side are also holding their fists in the air.

Army-Navy Game presented by USAA, 2022. Photo by J. Ryan for the PHLCVB.

Other Patriot Games include a pull-up challenge, an epic tug-of-war, and an obstacle relay. In the past, these events have been held at historic Philadelphia sites, such as Independence Mall and the Battleship New Jersey. More than 50,000 visitors come for the events, generating more than 31,000 hotel room nights. Each year the Game comes to Philadelphia, the event generates an estimated $30 million in economic impact.

A group of women are shown participating in a tug-of-war competition. There are people on either side cheering them on. Some people shown in the background appear to be recording the event on cell phones.

Patriot Games Tug-of-War. Photo by A. Sinagoga for PHLCVB.

The Main Event

In years past, the Game has kicked off at Lincoln Financial Field – home to the city’s beloved NFL team the Philadelphia Eagles – in South Philadelphia. Before kickoff, there are several time-honored ceremonies, including a stirring National Anthem, an unforgettable stadium flyover, and “March On,” where the Brigade of Midshipmen and Corps of Cadets march onto the field. No matter the outcome, both academies honor one another after the game by singing the opposing team’s alma mater to the respective fans. This is done as a sign of mutual respect and an ultimate display of sportsmanship.

With any large-scale event, there are a lot of moving parts. A dedicated team of meeting and event professionals help make the festivities possible by connecting the Game’s organizers with the necessary venues and contacts. PHL Sports is a division of the PHLCVB that supports sporting events like the Army-Navy game presented by USAA.

Members of both the Army and Navy are shown standing in the middle of a football field before the start of the Army-Navy football game at Lincoln Financial Field.

Army-Navy Game presented by USAA, 2022. Photo by J. Ryan for PHLCVB.

Interested in bringing your sporting event to Philadelphia? Contact PHL Sports to start planning today.

Army-Navy Game presented by USAA in Philadelphia