Trending Now - Trump Orders Media to Spotlight Army-navy Football Showdown

WHO:

President Donald Trump

American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti

President Donald Trump

Navy head coach Brian Newberry

President Donald Trump

Navy Midshipmen football team

Navy head coach Brian Newberry

NCAA President Charlie Baker

Former Alabama head football coach Nick Saban

New York Yankees President Randy Levine

Power Four commissioners

WHAT:

Trump signed the "Preserving America's Game" executive order on March 20, 2026, to protect the Army-Navy game's December time slot from College Football Playoff broadcast conflicts.

The Army-Navy Game is scheduled for December 12, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The College Football Playoff first-round games are set for December 18-19, 2026.

The Army-Navy Game has been played annually since 1930, with 126 meetings recorded.

Pernetti expressed "deep gratitude" for Trump's executive order, stating, "The American Conference is deeply grateful to President Trump for his strong leadership in issuing the historic executive order to preserve America’s Game."

The Army-Navy Game has been played annually since 1930 and has had 126 meetings.

Trump signed the "Preserving America’s Game" executive order during the Navy Midshipmen’s visit to the White House on March 20, 2026.

Trump stated, "The annual Army-Navy game is truly one of the most special occasions in all of sports... I'm going to sign an executive order to ensure that the second Saturday in December is preserved exclusively."

Trump mentioned potential legal challenges, saying, "Of course, we'll probably get sued at some point. We will get sued, but we win those suits, and we'll win this one."

Newberry stated, "Thank you for signing that executive order and protecting the sanctity of the Army-Navy game. It's a game with a soul, and it deserves to be protected."

Trump signed the "Preserving America's Game" executive order on March 20, 2026.

The executive order bars the College Football Playoff (CFP) and other postseason games from airing during the Army-Navy matchup.

The Army-Navy Game is scheduled for December 12, 2026.

The CFP first-round games are set for December 18-19, 2026.

Navy defeated Army 17-16 to win the Commander in Chief’s Trophy in December 2025.

Navy finished the 2025 season with an 11-2 record, marking the first back-to-back 10-win seasons in program history.

Trump stated, "Nobody's playing football – not Ohio State against Notre Dame, not LSU against Alabama – nobody's going to play football for four hours during that very special time of the year in December."

WHERE:

The executive order was signed in the East Room of the White House, Washington, District of Columbia.

The Army-Navy Game is traditionally played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

WHEN:

The executive order was signed on March 20, 2026.

The Army-Navy Game is scheduled for December 12, 2026.

The CFP first-round games are scheduled for December 18-19, 2026.

WHY:

Trump's executive order aims to prevent scheduling conflicts that "weaken the national focus on our Military Service Academies and detract from a morale-building event of vital interest to the Department of War."

Trump stated, "Such scheduling conflicts weaken the national focus on our Military Service Academies and detract from a morale-building event of vital interest to the Department of War."

Pernetti emphasized that the Army-Navy Game "honors our service academies, highlights the character and commitment of our future leaders and brings Americans together around values that matter deeply, including service and sacrifice."

The executive order aims to protect the tradition of the Army-Navy game from conflicts with the College Football Playoff.

Trump stated that scheduling conflicts "weaken the national focus on our Military Service Academies and detract from a morale-building event of vital interest to the Department of War."

HOW:

The executive order directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Commerce to coordinate with the NCAA, the College Football Playoff (CFP), and broadcast partners to secure an exclusive broadcast window for the Army-Navy Game.

The executive order directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Commerce to coordinate with relevant parties, including the NCAA, the College Football Playoff (CFP), and broadcast partners, to secure an exclusive broadcast window for the Army-Navy Game.

Trump directed the commerce secretary and FCC chairperson to coordinate with the CFP committee, the NCAA, and media rights partners to ensure an exclusive broadcasting window for the Army-Navy Game.

(UPDATED March 21, 2026 05:19 UTC)

On March 20, 2026, President Trump signed the "Preserving America's Game" executive order to protect the Army-Navy game's December time slot from conflicts with College Football Playoff broadcasts. The Army-Navy Game, which has been a tradition since 1930, is scheduled for December 12, 2026, just days before the first-round playoff games on December 18 and 19. Trump's order instructs the FCC and the Department of Commerce to work with the NCAA and broadcast partners to ensure an exclusive window for this important event, emphasizing its significance to the Military Service Academies and national morale.

(UPDATED March 21, 2026 03:37 UTC)

American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti expressed his "deep gratitude" for President Trump's executive order aimed at preserving the Army-Navy Game, which has been a cherished tradition since 1930 with 126 meetings held. Pernetti highlighted that this game honors service academies and emphasizes the character and commitment of future leaders, uniting Americans around important values like service and sacrifice. The executive order instructs the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Commerce to collaborate with the NCAA, the College Football Playoff, and broadcast partners to ensure an exclusive broadcast window for this historic matchup.

(UPDATED March 21, 2026 01:23 UTC)

Yesterday, President Trump signed the "Preserving America’s Game" executive order during the Navy Midshipmen’s visit to the White House, aiming to protect the annual Army-Navy game from scheduling conflicts. In his remarks, Trump emphasized the game's significance, stating it deserves exclusive focus on the second Saturday in December, while also acknowledging the likelihood of legal challenges ahead. Navy head coach Brian Newberry expressed gratitude for the order, highlighting the game’s importance and its role in fostering morale within the military community.

(UPDATED March 20, 2026 21:08 UTC)

Today, President Trump signed the "Preserving America's Game" executive order at the White House, which prohibits the College Football Playoff and other postseason games from airing during the Army-Navy matchup, scheduled for December 12, 2026. This decision comes after Navy's impressive victory over Army last December, where they won the Commander in Chief’s Trophy with a close score of 17 to 16, marking Navy's second consecutive 10-win season. Trump emphasized the importance of protecting this tradition, stating that scheduling conflicts weaken the national focus on the Military Service Academies and detract from a vital morale-building event.