The 124th Army-Navy football game, held on December 9th, 2023, at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, captivated a record-breaking audience, drawing an average of 9.4 million viewers. This marked the highest viewership for the historic rivalry since at least 1990, surpassing the previous record of 8.45 million set in 1992 and representing a significant 31% increase over the 7.2 million viewers who tuned in last year. The presence of former President Donald Trump, attending the game for the first time since 2020, arguably contributed to the surge in viewership, with many likely tuning in to catch a glimpse of the former president. The game’s prominence was further amplified by its placement on the schedule, occurring a week after conference championship weekend, making it the sole college football game broadcast that day. This strategic scheduling, implemented in 2009, has consistently boosted the game’s viewership over the years.
The Navy Midshipmen emerged victorious, upsetting the Army Black Knights with a decisive 31-13 victory. This win not only snapped Army’s two-game winning streak in the series but also extended Navy’s overall lead in the all-time series to 63-55-7. The game itself was a high-scoring affair, the most prolific since 2011, with Navy establishing an early 14-0 lead. Although Army managed to narrow the gap, Navy maintained control, scoring a crucial 52-yard touchdown and capitalizing on a successful fake punt to solidify their lead. The victory also secured the coveted Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for Navy, having previously defeated Air Force earlier in the season.
This year’s Army-Navy game held particular significance as both teams entered the contest ranked for the first time since 1960, adding another layer of intrigue to the already heated rivalry. The victory marked a resurgence for Navy after Army had dominated recent matchups, winning six of the previous eight games. Prior to that, Navy had enjoyed a period of dominance, winning 16 out of 17 contests. With this win, Navy improved their season record to 9-3, while Army’s loss dropped them to 11-2.
The broadcast of the game on CBS further contributed to its record-breaking viewership. The network has held the broadcasting rights since 1996, and this year’s Army-Navy game became the most-watched game on CBS for the entire season, second only to the Big Ten title game. Nationally, the game ranked as the 11th most-watched college football game of the season, surpassing three conference championship games, including the Big 12 Championship. Remarkably, it achieved this distinction despite not featuring any teams from the dominant Big Ten or SEC conferences, highlighting the enduring appeal of the Army-Navy rivalry.
Beyond the on-field action, the game also drew attention due to the presence of prominent figures in attendance. Former President Trump, accompanied by Vice President-elect JD Vance, Elon Musk, Pete Hegseth, Daniel Penny, and others, watched the game from a luxury suite. This added a layer of political and social intrigue to the event, likely attracting viewers beyond the traditional football audience. While President Biden has not attended the Army-Navy game since his election, he did attend the game in both 2011 and 2012.
With the regular season concluded, both teams now turn their attention to their respective bowl game appearances. Navy is set to face Oklahoma in the Armed Forces Bowl, while Army will square off against Louisiana Tech in the Independence Bowl. These bowl games provide each team with an opportunity to cap off their seasons on a high note and further solidify their accomplishments. The Army-Navy game, however, remains the highlight of their respective seasons, showcasing the unique spirit of competition and camaraderie that defines this historic rivalry. The record-breaking viewership serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of the Army-Navy game, a unique sporting event that transcends the typical boundaries of college football.
