Last updated: October 14, 2026
America’s Game is coming back to our side of the Hudson. On Saturday, December 12, 2026, the Army-Navy Game 2026 returns to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, for the first time since 2021. For Long Island’s West Point and Annapolis families, veterans and anyone who loves the most patriotic afternoon in college football, the rivalry hasn’t been this close to home in five years.
This guide covers what’s confirmed so far about the 127th Army-Navy Game: what time to leave Nassau or Suffolk County, where car services drop off at MetLife, the stadium rules that trip people up, and how to get your whole group there and back without fighting for parking or waiting two hours for a rideshare in the December cold.
Quick Answer: The 127th Army-Navy Game kicks off at 3:00 PM ET on Saturday, December 12, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, live on CBS. Fan Fest opens at 11 AM. On game day, allow 1½ to 2 hours from Nassau County and 2 to 2½ hours from Suffolk. Limos drop off and pick up between Lots D and E.
In This Guide:
- When and Where Is the Army-Navy Game 2026?
- What Time Should You Leave Long Island?
- Where Do Limos Drop Off at MetLife Stadium?
- Tailgating, Bags and Stadium Rules
- Which Vehicle Fits Your Group?
- Make It an Army-Navy Weekend in New York
- Frequently Asked Questions
When and Where Is the Army-Navy Game 2026?
The 127th meeting between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen is set for Saturday, December 12, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET at MetLife Stadium, with the broadcast on CBS. Army is the designated home team this year, so the Black Knights take the east sideline and Navy takes the west. Here’s everything the official Army-Navy Game FAQ has confirmed so far:
| Detail | What We Know |
| Date | Saturday, December 12, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 3:00 PM ET on CBS |
| Venue | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
| Home Team | Army (east sideline) |
| Fan Fest | Opens 11:00 AM on the MetLife plaza |
| Parking Lots Open | Not yet announced (MetLife lots usually open five hours before an event) |
| Tickets | Sold out through Army and Navy (Army presale face value was $155–$235); mobile tickets live in the Army-Navy app |
| Re-Entry | Not allowed |
| Payments | Cash-free stadium: cards and mobile pay only |
For many families, the March On is the main reason to be there. That’s when the entire Brigade of Midshipmen and the Corps of Cadets march onto the field in formation. The 2026 times haven’t been published yet, but in recent years the March On has started shortly after noon, with the Brigade going first. If seeing it matters to your group, plan to be through the gates before noon.
What Time Should You Leave Long Island for MetLife Stadium?
On a normal day, MetLife Stadium is about 45 minutes to an hour from central Nassau County and 1 to 1½ hours from Suffolk. A December Saturday at the Meadowlands isn’t a normal day. American Dream, the mega-mall right next door to MetLife, is in peak holiday-shopping season. The bridges into New Jersey are busy, and tens of thousands of fans are aiming for the same few exits. Build in real buffer time.
If you want to catch Fan Fest and the March On, aim to arrive by about 11 AM. Here’s how that works out from across the Island:
| Starting Point | Typical Drive | Game-Day Plan | Leave By (11 AM Arrival) |
| Nassau County (Garden City, Hempstead, Mineola, Massapequa) | 45 min – 1 hr | 1½ – 2 hrs | 9:00 – 9:30 AM |
| Western Suffolk (Huntington, Melville, Commack) | 1 – 1¼ hrs | 2 – 2½ hrs | 8:30 – 9:00 AM |
| Central Suffolk (Smithtown, Ronkonkoma, Patchogue) | 1¼ – 1½ hrs | 2½ hrs | 8:15 – 8:30 AM |
| East End (Riverhead, North Fork, the Hamptons) | 2 – 2½ hrs | 3 – 3½ hrs | 7:30 – 8:00 AM |
Your chauffeur chooses the crossing that morning based on live traffic. North Shore and central Nassau groups usually go over the Throgs Neck or Whitestone Bridge to the George Washington Bridge. South Shore groups often do better over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and through Staten Island. Nobody in your group has to watch Waze, pay tolls or argue about the route. That’s the point.
Where Do Limos and Party Buses Drop Off at MetLife Stadium?
MetLife has one designated zone for limousines, car services and taxis: the roadway between Parking Lots D and E. Access to the drop-off and pick-up area is free, and the curb space there makes for a safe, quick unload. Charter buses use Lot L. Both rules come straight from the MetLife Stadium parking page.
The real difference shows up after the final whistle. Rideshare pickups are in Lot E, and the stadium itself warns that post-event waits can run more than two hours, usually with surge pricing. With a pre-booked chauffeur, you have a set meeting point, a set time and a warm vehicle you already paid a fixed rate for.
Pro tip: Before you head to the gates, save your chauffeur’s number and agree on the pickup spot as a group. After a game this size, cell service near the stadium can slow to a crawl, so a plan made in advance beats a group text sent at 6:30 PM.
Tailgating, Bags and Stadium Rules to Know Before You Go
Army-Navy follows MetLife’s standard rules plus a few of its own. These are the ones that catch people off guard:
- Clear bag policy. Each fan can bring one clear bag up to 12″ x 6″ x 12″ and one small clutch up to 4.5″ x 6.5″. A one-gallon clear freezer bag also works. Backpacks, diaper bags, camera cases and seat cushions (unless medically necessary) are not allowed.
- No re-entry. Once you’re inside, you’re inside for the day. Bring everything you’ll need for the afternoon, and leave extra layers, gifts and shopping bags in the vehicle.
- Cash-free stadium. Concessions and merchandise take cards and mobile pay only. Reverse ATMs inside convert cash to a prepaid card at no charge.
- Mobile tickets. Tickets live in the Army-Navy app. Download it and log in before you leave home, not in the security line.
- Tailgating needs a parking pass. Tailgating is allowed, but to tailgate from a vehicle you need a pass for the lot, and those were allocated largely through the academies’ athletic programs. If your group has one, tell us when you book and we’ll plan around it. If not, door-to-door drop-off still gets your group to the Fan Fest with none of the parking hassle.
- Dress for the Meadowlands in December. MetLife is an open-air stadium, and a mid-December afternoon there gets cold and windy fast. A heated vehicle waiting at the end of the night is worth a lot more than it sounds.
Which Vehicle Fits Your Army-Navy Group?
We cover everything from a couple heading to see their cadet march on to a full alumni chapter. Here’s how our fleet lines up for game day:
| Group Size | Vehicle | Best For |
| 1 – 3 | Cadillac XTS Sedan or Corporate Town Car | Parents of a cadet or midshipman, couples |
| Up to 6 | Corporate SUV | Small families, client entertaining |
| Up to 7 | 7-Passenger Black Limo | A classic limo day with friends |
| Up to 12 | 12-Passenger Sprinter Limo | Family groups, alumni friends, corporate guests |
| 18 – 27 | Executive Shuttle Buses (18, 22 and 27 passengers) | Veterans groups, company outings |
| Up to 29 | 29-Passenger Party Bus | Groups who want the celebration to start on the Expressway |
| Up to 52 | 52-Passenger Coach Bus | Alumni chapters, booster clubs, ROTC and community groups |
Not sure which one fits? Tell us your headcount and pickup towns when you call. We can plan multiple pickup stops, so a group spread across Nassau and Suffolk still rides together, and we can drop everyone back at their own stops after the game. You can also browse the full Long Island Limo Rental fleet.
Who Rides With Us to Army-Navy
Cadet and midshipman families. When your son or daughter is marching onto that field, you don’t want to be stuck on the Cross Bronx Expressway. Door-to-door service gets you there early and gets you home after a long, emotional day without anyone having to drive.
Alumni, veterans and service groups. Long Island has a deep military community, including the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, and Army-Navy weekend is as much a reunion as a football game. A shuttle bus or coach keeps the whole group together from the first pickup to the last drop-off.
Corporate hospitality. Few events impress a client like Army-Navy. A Sprinter or SUV with a professional chauffeur turns it into an easy, polished day out. See our corporate event transportation for more.
Out-of-town fans flying in. Newark Liberty is the closest major airport to MetLife, and we run Newark Airport car service as well as JFK, LaGuardia and Long Island MacArthur transfers. One booking can cover the airport, your hotel and the game.
Make It an Army-Navy Weekend in New York
Army-Navy falls right in the middle of the city’s holiday season, so a lot of fans are turning one game into a full weekend:
- Friday night in Manhattan. Some Army-Navy travel packages pair the game with the Radio City Christmas Spectacular the night before. Add dinner and a drive past the Rockefeller Center tree, or book our Manhattan holiday light tour.
- The Army-Navy Gala. The gala is on Friday, December 11, at Ellis Island (by request for Army A Club members). If you’re attending, we can get you to your ferry and home again.
- Saturday night after the game. Not ready to call it a night? Swing through the Dyker Heights Christmas lights on the way home to Long Island.
- Sunday departures. We’ll handle the airport run so visiting family makes their flight.
Book Early: December Is Our Busiest Month
Army-Navy Saturday lands in the busiest stretch of our year. Holiday parties, holiday-lights tours and airport runs all compete for the same vehicles, and the larger ones (the party bus, shuttle buses and coach) tend to go first. Book now while the full fleet is available. Your rate is agreed up front with no surge pricing, even when the whole stadium empties out at once.
Call (631) 887-5544 or (516) 855-9305, or Get Your Free Quote Online.
Heading to other games at MetLife this season? See our MetLife Stadium limousine service and our party bus to MetLife Stadium guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Is the Army-Navy Game 2026?
The 127th Army-Navy Game is on Saturday, December 12, 2026. Kickoff is 3:00 PM ET, and the game airs live on CBS. Fan Fest opens on the MetLife plaza at 11 AM, and the March On has started shortly after noon in recent years.
Where Will the 2026 Army-Navy Game Be Played?
The 2026 game is at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, home of the Giants and Jets. It’s the first Army-Navy Game at MetLife since 2021. Army is the designated home team.
What Time Do MetLife Parking Lots Open for the Army-Navy Game?
The official Army-Navy FAQ still lists lot opening as “TBD.” MetLife lots usually open five hours before an event, which would mean around 10 AM for a 3 PM kickoff. Check the official sites the week of the game.
Where Do Limos Drop Off at MetLife Stadium?
Limousines, car services and taxis use the designated zone on the roadway between Parking Lots D and E, and access is free. Charter buses use Lot L. Your chauffeur picks you up at an agreed spot after the game.
How Long Does It Take to Get From Long Island to MetLife Stadium?
On a normal day, it’s about 45 minutes to an hour from central Nassau, 1 to 1½ hours from Suffolk and 2 to 2½ hours from the East End. On Army-Navy Saturday, allow extra time for game traffic and holiday shoppers at American Dream next door.
How Much Are Tickets to the 2026 Army-Navy Game?
Through Army’s A Club presale, face-value tickets were $155 for priority seating and $235 for club seating. The game has since sold out through Army and Navy, so any remaining tickets are on the resale market, where sellers set the price. Tickets are delivered through the official Army-Navy app.
Is It Hard to Get Tickets to the Army-Navy Game?
Yes. The 2026 game sold out through the academies’ own ticket programs, which give priority to members, season ticket holders and the academy communities. If you don’t have seats yet, buy only from reputable resale sellers and avoid anyone asking for payment outside a secure ticketing platform.
Where Do You Park for the Army-Navy Game at MetLife Stadium?
MetLife’s lots usually open about five hours before an event, and the official Army-Navy FAQ will confirm 2026 lot times and passes closer to the game. If you’d rather skip parking altogether, a car service drops you off and picks you up free of charge in the designated zone between Lots D and E.
Where Is the Army-Navy Game in 2027?
The 2027 Army-Navy Game returns to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, which will host the rivalry for the 91st time. That makes December 12, 2026 the only chance in the near future to see America’s Game at MetLife Stadium, about an hour from Long Island.
What Is the Bag Policy for the Army-Navy Game?
MetLife uses the NFL clear bag policy: one clear bag up to 12″ x 6″ x 12″ plus a small clutch up to 4.5″ x 6.5″ per person. A one-gallon clear freezer bag is also allowed. Backpacks and large purses are not.
Can You Take Our Group From Long Island to the Army-Navy Game?
Yes. Long Island Limo Rental provides door-to-door service from anywhere in Nassau and Suffolk Counties to MetLife Stadium, in vehicles from sedans and SUVs to Sprinter limos, party buses and 52-passenger coaches. We can plan multiple pickup and drop-off stops for your group, and your rate is agreed up front with no surge pricing.
Don’t Miss America’s Game
The Army-Navy Game hasn’t been this close to Long Island since 2021, and in 2027 it heads back to Philadelphia. Get there before the March On, cheer through all four quarters and let us handle the drive home. Call (631) 887-5544 or Book Your Ride Online today.
Long Island Limo Rental is a chauffeured transportation company serving Nassau County, Suffolk County and New York City, with sedans, SUVs, Sprinter limos, party buses and coach buses for games, concerts, weddings and airport transfers.
Go Army. Beat Navy. Or the other way around. We drive both.