The 2025 season isn’t even over, yet two college football programs, the Army Black Knights and Navy Midshipmen, are already worried about their future. While momentum builds for a 16-team College Football Playoff extension, it could come in the way of another prestigious bowl game. President Donald Trump is putting the brakes on the process. The 79-year-old plans to sign an executive order to protect one of the sport’s most iconic rivalries.

“The Army-Navy Game is one of our Greatest American Traditions — Unmatched Patriotism, Courage, and Honor,” read Trump’s statement as shared by On3’s Ross Dellenger. “This incredible Tradition is now at risk of being pushed aside by more College Playoff Games and Big TV Money. NOT ANYMORE!”

“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,” the POTUS further added.

In November, the deadline for completing the playoff format and related structural decisions moved from Dec. 1 to Jan. 23, 2026. But President Trump drew a hard line, which is that the second Saturday of December stays locked in for the Army-Navy rivalry. 

The annual showdown also crowns the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, pitting West Point cadets against Annapolis midshipmen for service-academy bragging rights. Navy holds a 64-55-7 edge in the rivalry through 2025, with the game staged at iconic venues from Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field to New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. This year’s game saw Navy edge out a close win with 17-16 being the final score. Both teams had 82 yards in passing each with the ground game being used more prominently.

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Trump framed the matchup as a showcase of America’s “unstoppable patriots,” who are rivals on the field but stand united off it, and ultimately fight side by side in defense of the nation’s freedom. 

The POTUS said the proposed executive action would put TV networks on notice to keep the Army-Navy Game’s time slot untouched. CBS holds extended broadcast rights, including coverage in the UK and Australia. This rivalry has drawn U.S. presidents since Dwight D. Eisenhower’s tenure and showcases many future military leaders.

Besides, pushing the College Football Playoff to 16 teams could turn December into a scheduling battlefield. With more high-stakes games packed into the same window, the Army-Navy Game, traditionally held on the second Saturday of December, risks losing its prime weekend spot. The idea is to highlight the importance of this game and not give way to bigger TV ratings that the playoffs can give.

Presidents have a lot of power to influence policy in such ways. A tangential example of this happening in the past can be seen when former president Jimmy Carter boycotted the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics during the Soviet Union’s Afghanistan invasion. Carter viewed American participation as legitimizing the invasion, a move that sidelined many athletes and drew support from over 60 nations but ultimately failed to stop the Soviet-Afghan war, which lasted another decade. 

With cadets and midshipmen balancing grueling training and academic schedules, a jam-packed playoff calendar could disrupt their preparation, forcing a shift. Trump was courtside for the Army-Navy showdown at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore back in December, and now he will be on the stands for the CFP National Championship clash between Indiana and Miami at Hard Rock Stadium.

With high-profile appearances like these, attendees are being urged to take swift action.

Fans need to follow instructions as Donald Trump will hit the stands

With Trump in the house, stadium security has been significantly increased. The CFP urged attendees to arrive way earlier than usual. The Secret Service Uniformed Division will handle enhanced screenings at the gates, and once a ticket is scanned, there’s no re-entry.

Attendees should keep personal items to a minimum and review prohibited items ahead of time. Enhanced security and CFP rules mean certain gear won’t be allowed inside. Along with Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also expected to be on the stands.

The Natty finals were already a high profile affair without the POTUS’ presence. Tickets were selling for higher than some Superbowl tickets. Hoosier fandom, known to be good travelers, are sure to try and make their presence known. But the game is happening in Miami which raises the stakes even more. The atmosphere is sure to be electric. But fans need to understand that the room for any kind of rule breaking is razor thin.

Monday’s title clash marks Trump’s first CFP game since LSU’s win over the Clemson Tigers in 2020, where Joe Burrow dazzled with five touchdowns and 463 yards. It’s also the third national title game he’ll have attended as president.

Back in 2018, Trump attended the Georgia–Alabama championship from a private Mercedes-Benz Stadium box near the Alabama sideline. But he exited at halftime, with Georgia ahead 13-0. 

Trump’s big event aside, can his presence tip the scales to save the Army-Navy game from the playoff expansion shakeup? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.