Quick Facts

• The Rivalry: Army-Navy
• Location: Philadelphia, Penn. (Lincoln Financial Field)
• Date: December 2, 2006
• Result: Navy 26, Army 14
• Attendance: 69,943
• Vantage point: Pregame in the parking lots surrounding the stadium

College football is full of rivalries, determined by conference affiliation, regional proximity or historical significance. Many determine the course of a team’s season, often lifting one team into bowl contention and dropping the other out. But when it comes to pageantry and passion, the annual clash between Army and Navy takes a back seat to no one. With no national championship on the line, this tradition-filled spectacle still carries yearlong bragging rights for men and women all around the world—the soldiers and officers of America’s armed forces. Making it even more special, nearly every student from both academies is in attendance, not to mention thousands of additional military personnel and, often, the families of the students. Last year may have been the 107th time the teams have battled, but you’d be hard-pressed to not be inspired after watching eight F-18 Hornets and four Cobra Attack helicopters fly over the field prior to the game.

Nowhere is the Army-Navy experience more overwhelming than before kickoff in the parking lots. While Philadelphians have always been known to throw a good party, the pregame tailgating for the Army-Navy battle may top them all. While on the surface the teams and their fans may dislike one another, there is a level of respect instilled by the military that brings opposites together. After all, many of these students and players will be defending their country overseas by the time the next Army-Navy game rolls around. Walk around and you’ll see fans interspersed from both academies cooking, having a drink and sharing stories of times past. When it comes to food, the tastes range from regional favorites like Maryland crab cakes and Philly cheesesteaks to tailgating staples like burgers and dogs. Before you find your seats, it’s a sight to behold when cadets and midshipmen assemble in the parking lot and march into the stadium in perfect formation. You don’t need to be a graduate of the academies to appreciate this day, as it’s a celebration of America and those who serve in the military. If you go, bring a jacket (the game is generally played the first week of December) and plenty of patriotism. You won’t find a more hospitable parking lot crew.