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By Aman Sharma
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The Army-Navy Game has owned a mid-December weekend by itself for years, and a bigger playoff bracket is about to claim that spot.
If the College Football Playoff grows to 24 teams, the service academies’ rivalry could slide to December’s opening weekend, according to Front Office Sports sources. A final date likely won’t be set until the CFP signs off on expansion.
Tom Theodorakis, Army’s athletic director, wouldn’t discuss that weekend, but he sounded upbeat about the talks to FOS.
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“I view these conversations as a win for the academies and ‘America’s Game.’ If we can preserve Army-Navy while giving our Cadet athletes the opportunity to be in the College Football Playoff, that’s the best of both worlds.”
The proposed format sends 16 teams into an opening round, with the eight top seeds waiting on byes. Reuters reported the format is close to final, with expansion expected for 2027.
Yahoo Sports reported the opening round would land on December’s second weekend, the window Army-Navy normally holds alone. This season’s game is set for Dec. 12.
Both academies collect millions from the game through sponsorships, ticket revenue, and an exclusive CBS deal the network extended in 2024 through 2038.
Last December, President Donald Trump said he’d sign an executive order directing the CFP and TV networks to carve out an exclusive broadcast window. The order he signed in March named no preferred weekend, and its enforceability is unclear.
Army coach Jeff Monken pitched Thanksgiving weekend. In February, Navy athletic director Michael Kelly raised doubts with FOS, citing the NFL’s holiday games and academy members likely missing it while home on break.
Tim Pernetti, commissioner of the American, where both academies play, hasn’t publicly picked a date. He told The Capital Gazette in February the league is committed to the game.
“The Army-Navy game is a national treasure where the true commitment of our future leaders is on display. We will do whatever it takes to protect and defend it.”
A 24-team field would scrap conference title games, clearing December’s first weekend of other FBS and NFL action and leaving both academies free for playoff dates if either earns a bid.
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