President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he plans to sign an executive order aimed at preserving the Army–Navy football game’s traditional broadcast window, as college football leaders weigh expanding the College Football Playoff.
Trump made the announcement on January 17 via his social media platform, Truth Social, stressing that the storied rivalry should retain exclusive control of the second Saturday in December and remain untouched by postseason scheduling changes.
“The Army-Navy Game is one of our Greatest American Traditions – Unmatched Patriotism, Courage, and Honor!” Trump wrote. “This incredible Tradition is now at risk of being pushed aside by more College Playoff Games, and Big TV Money. NOT ANYMORE!”
— Navy Athletics (@NavyAthletics) January 18, 2026
According to Trump, his administration would formally reserve the date solely for the service academy showdown. “Under my Administration, the second Saturday in December belongs to Army-Navy, and ONLY Army-Navy! I will soon sign a Historic Executive Order securing an EXCLUSIVE 4-hour Broadcast window, so this National Event stands above Commercial Postseason Games.”
Trump emphasized that no other game or team would be permitted to use the time slot, describing Army and Navy players as “America’s unstoppable Patriots” and urging television networks to treat the announcement as official notice.
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The official Navy Athletics X account reposted Trump’s statement, signaling apparent support for the proposed order. The comments come one day before the College Football Playoff committee is scheduled to meet on Sunday, January 18, to discuss a potential expansion of the playoff field from 12 teams to 16.
A 16-team format would likely require two first-round games on the second weekend of December, directly conflicting with the longstanding Army–Navy game.
If the committee opts to delay a final decision, the College Football Playoff will remain a 12-team format for next season. Officials have also acknowledged that a larger expansion, potentially to 24 teams, has been discussed as a long-term possibility.
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For the unversed, the College Football Playoff operates independently, and scheduling decisions typically involve conferences, broadcasters, and postseason organizers. Multiple reports have said playoff officials are already working on expansion models that account for the Army–Navy game, regardless of potential political involvement.
CBS Sports, which holds broadcast rights to the Army–Navy game through 2038, previously reported that some 24-team playoff proposals would move the game to the first Saturday in December instead of the second.
The Army–Navy rivalry has been played every year since 1930, with the first meeting held in 1890. Last season’s game ended in a 17–16 Navy win. It aired at the same time as the LA Bowl between Washington and Boise State, a scheduling overlap described as an exception. Trump attended the game.
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Trump began his second presidential term in January 2025, after previously setting a record for the number of executive orders signed during the first 100 days of a presidency. He is also expected to attend the College Football National Championship Game on Monday, January 19, in Miami, where Indiana University will face the University of Miami.
