cbssports
The expansion of the College Football Playoff to 24 teams will have wide-ranging effects on college football in 2027, and one notable change is the Army-Navy Game shifting to the first Saturday in December. The 128th edition of the storied rivalry was originally slated for Dec. 11 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, but it will now be played on Dec. 4.
With conference championship games eliminated and the first round of the expanded CFP beginning on Dec. 9, the Army-Navy matchup will move up a week to the first weekend of December. The game will remain on that date for as long as the 24-team format is in place. The 2027 game will still be held at Lincoln Financial Field, as city and stadium officials were able to accommodate the new date. It will mark the 91st time Army and Navy meet in Philadelphia, and the game will be broadcast on CBS and streamed live on Paramount+.
Key Analysis
Historically, the Army-Navy Game has occupied the final weekend of the college football season, giving the two service academies a standalone spotlight. However, the date has been adjusted over the years as the college football calendar has evolved. In 2009, the game moved to the second Saturday in December to avoid conflicting with conference championship weekend. Now, it returns to the first Saturday in December, a slot it has occupied 45 times before. Navy holds a 64-55-7 advantage in the all-time series and has won the last two meetings against Army.
Originally reported by cbssports.