Philadelphia ‘thrilled’ to be continuing Army-Navy tradition

City will host four of the next five rivalry games

Larry Needle would never use the word surprised when asked about Philadelphia being awarded the majority of Army-Navy football games in the next contractual cycle.

Needle, executive director of PHL Sports, thinks Army-Navy should be held in the City of Brotherly Love every year. In fact, Philadelphia bills itself as the “home of Army-Navy,” having hosted 86 of the 117 games. That tally will rise to 87 this Saturday when the 118th Army-Navy game is held at Lincoln Financial Field.

Philadelphia received a ringing endorsement this past August when the two service academies announced that four of the next five ArmyNavy games will be held at Lincoln Financial Field. PHL Sports, a division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, succeeded in landing the event in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., was awarded the 2021 contest.

“We were thrilled with the news about getting four out of the next five games,” Needle said. “It’s obviously something that is very important to the city and all of us that work on the event. It’s an incredible Philadelphia tradition. I think the Army-Navy game belongs here. So naturally we were delighted with the latest result.”

Philadelphia has routinely received the majority of Army-Navy games during each contractual cycle. This year marks the completion of the previous contract, during which Philadelphia hosted five of the eight years. Baltimore got the game in 2014 and 2016 while Washington hosted in 2011.

“We never take it for granted. We know Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia Saturday, 3 p.m. TV: Chs. 13, 9 Radio: 1090 AM, 1430 AM Line: Navy by 31⁄ there are many cities that would love to host this game. We know it is literally one of the world’s greatest sporting events and in very high demand as a result,” said Needle, who spoke before last Wednesday’s annual Army-Navy luncheon. “Every year, we make sure that we’re not resting on our laurels, that we are very focused on delivering the type of event the academies deserve. So we’re thankful that both academies have recognized what Philadelphia brings to the table and have rewarded us the way they continue to do.”

Naval Academy athletic director Chet Gladchuk said eight cities submitted formal bids to host Army-Navy football during the cycle beginning in 2018. When evaluating