There is no rivalry like this one. Yes, that is the best way to characterize the rivalry between the Navy Midshipmen and the Army Dark Knights. The 125th meeting between the two defense schools will take place on Saturday. It must be unique therefore, isn’t it?

It’s really hot. With an 11-1 record, Jeff Monken’s Army is leading the AAC, while Brian Newberry’s Navy is 8-3. What if none of the courses are prepared to compromise? The game of big stakes has changed for the greater good. But will the change be able to attract a significant number of people? What may the figure be, if it is?

The highest record of spectators

It is anticipated that approximately 67,617 people will attend the 2024 Army-Navy Game. How can I say this, you ask? This year’s game will be played at Northwest Stadium (previously FedEx Field) in Landover, and the stadium can accommodate that many people. This raises the issue, though: what is the game’s highest crowd record? The game was played in Chicago on November 27, 1926, as part of the official dedication of Soldier Field to the American veterans who had served during World War I. Despite the game ending in a 21-21 draw, Navy emerged as the National Champions because they had the best record at the end of the season. With 110,000 spectators, the game generated a record-breaking 600,000 ticket demand. An enormous crowd!

Then, in 1945, the Army-Navy Game saw over 100,000 spectators at Soldier Field in Chicago, setting a new audience milestone. Because it took place during World War II and represented the backing of the armed forces and national unity, this game was very important. The high attendance was a reflection of the American public’s emotional attachment to the military and its members at that time. More recently, the game has continuously attracted sizable crowds; at different venues, notable attendance statistics usually fall between 60,000 and 80,000. Like, the 99th Army-Navy game (2016) set a new attendance record with 81,323 fans! But in the lengthy history of this legendary rivalry, the 1926 record is still unrivaled.

But in case you were unaware, the Army-Navy Game was first played in 1890. On November 29, the first game took place on “The Plain” at West Point. The Navy has played organized football since 1879, but the Army had just formed a team at that time. The fact that the Army won 24-0 was shocking. Following that, the Army-Navy game in 2017 fell short of the previous year’s on-field thrill. And the 100th game drew yet another record-breaking of 81577 spectators.

The question still stands: is the rivalry between the games the sole thing drawing people in? No, not at all. Safe to say, a tradition that has been a part of the game will undoubtedly move you.

The Army-Navy game serves a more profound function

Many lessons can be learned from the Army-Navy game experience. First of all, while the players may be working hard on the field, each cadet and midshipman is preparing to become a commander in their service branch off the field. Therefore, in addition to practicing football, they must undergo rigorous military training. And now for the most intriguing part. There are no NIL collectives and Dark Knights and Midshipmen are not able to enjoy the perks of enormous money like other players do. Perhaps it is how they are constructed, and they only consider the services they can provide, not the reward or compensation they receive. This is where every Army-Navy game has a lovely tradition of giving back.

This year is no different. “Every year, the Midshipman Action Group proudly gives back to the host city of the Army-Navy Game,” the US Naval Academy tweeted on December 13. It seems that fans find the game more authentic when money isn’t involved, which is why it typically attracts large crowds.

The game has another important purpose. As everyone is aware, this year’s annual game will take place at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. However, the weather had started to cool off this year, so the Midshipmen thought about volunteering to help people in need. “This year, they donated blankets to a DC shelter to assist with winter relief, providing warmth and comfort to those who need it most.” A post on X stated this. You might now understand the game’s actual objective and the cause of the sizable crowd. Can’t wait to see the turnout for the 2024 Army-Navy game!