M&T Bank Stadium - Army/Navy Game - Baltimore

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.71

M&T Bank Stadium 1101 Russell St Baltimore, MD 21230

Army/Navy Game website

M&T Bank Stadium website

Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 71,008

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Army and Navy In Charm City

The Army-Navy Game is one of the most iconic sporting events in the United States. The rivalry football game between the United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy has been going on since 1890, although it has only been played annually since 1899. The game was not held in 1917 or 1918, due to World War I, and in 1929, when the two academies disagreed over player eligibility rules.

Navy leads the overall series. There have been seven ties.

Philadelphia is usually thought of as the main home to the game, although starting in 2008, a bidding process has made the game more likely to rotate to various venues. Philadelphia still holds the record for most games hosted, with 85. Counting 2025, Baltimore has hosted the game seven times.

The 1924 game was held at the old Municipal Stadium. That stadium was located on land that eventually held Memorial Stadium.

Baltimore’s home of the Ravens, M&T Bank Stadium, has now been home to the 2000, 2007, 2014, 2016, and 2025 games. Cities that join the bidding process for the game will have to figure out how to pay for the transportation of the cadets and midshipmen to the game.

Chicago used to be the westernmost place where a game was held (1926), but the 1983 game in Pasadena, CA’s Rose Bowl changed that fact.

Food & Beverage 5

The stadium has added a Shake Shack to the stadium, which has created much excitement. Expect long lines, but the prices are reasonable, and the food is pretty great at this new food option.

The stadium has good-quality concession stands around the stadium. Many stands offer options such as beer, chili bowls, pizza, and hot dogs. Stands have generic names, such as Goal Line Grill, Kickoff Classics, and the Chesapeake Market. There are also outposts of local favorites, as well as Shake Shack.

There are also a few full-service bars scattered around offering top-shelf spirits and premium drinks. Several kiosks also sell a variety of domestic and craft beers.

The stadium has followed Atlanta's lead and begun offering many lower-priced, value options. This has made an already good food experience even better.

Atmosphere 5

The game atmosphere is amazing. There are activities both before and during the game to keep all of the fans engaged.

The game benefits from being held at such a fine facility. The Ravens have nice facilities and offerings for the team and fans.

The large video boards, known as RavensVision, past both end zones are amazing visual spectacles. There are plenty of 22-foot-long LED screens that are located on the upper-level concourses. These screens are big enough to be a normal video screen at many stadiums, and here, they are just for patrons on the concourse to enjoy. These go along with large LED screens at the entrance gates. The signage around the stadium is consistent, modern, and appropriate.

The stadium is in the middle of some large renovations, so you may see some construction going on.

The Ravens souvenir stands will be closed, but many smaller stands will be available for Army-Navy game merchandise.

Ravenswalk leads the fans from downtown and Oriole Park towards M&T Bank Stadium. It has always been a good place for fans to enjoy pre-game activities. One should also stop by to see the text of the former facade from Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium, which is on display between the two stadiums. The text was a memorial to those killed in the two World Wars. The main words of “TIME WILL NOT DIM THE GLORY OF THEIR DEEDS” remind visitors of those this nation lost in the past. The line is a quote from Gen. John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I.

Neighborhood 4

The neighborhood is generally the same as Oriole Park at Camden Yards, but does suffer a slight bit, as it is further away from downtown Baltimore. The Horseshoe Casino, located south of the stadium, has the potential to make this “other” side of the stadium more and more important to the Ravens’ social scene. The casino offers game day events, as well as parking.

Close to the stadium, and right across from Oriole Park, are Pickles Pub and Sliders Bar & Grille. The Federal Hill neighborhood is also close by. There are a few fun restaurants and bars here. Mother’s (1113 S Charles Street) and Magerks (1061 S Charles Street) are also good places for a pre- or post-game meal.

The Inner Harbor is a popular tourist destination and is a short walk from M&T Bank Stadium. There is a movement by a local developer to redevelop the already famous Harborplace into a state-of-the-art living and working area. Currently, the existing pavilions are underused.

Baltimore is home to many touristy attractions, such as Harborplace, Fells Point, and Fort McHenry. The American Visionary Art Museum on Key Highway is located on the way to Fort McHenry and should not be missed, although its unique collection will not be for everyone.

If looking for a bit of Baltimore sports history, the Sports Legends Museum is located adjacent to Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Fans 5

This game means the world to the teams and fans in attendance. Everyone has a side. “Go Army! Beat Navy!” and “Go Navy! Beat Army!” are chanted and shouted almost non-stop before and during the game.

Even with the emotions of the game, there is a respectful tone. This is not a crowd that will fight over their emotions. These are respectful fans who take pride in their teams, as well as their nation.

Access 5

M&T Bank Stadium is right off I-95, with only a couple of turns putting you on the highway home. Parking garages are located in all directions from the stadium. Street parking is not a great option. Parking near the Inner Harbor is a good option. Check the parking link on the game's website to find bargains that are a pretty close walk away.

There is some construction going on between the stadium and the casino so the police route traffic one direction only depending on needs.

If you’re not driving to the game, the other primary mode of access is the MTA Light Rail. From points north and south of downtown Baltimore, you can take the train to the ballpark. The Light Rail is slow, so make sure you know that beforehand. The crowds will be overwhelming after the game.

Return on Investment 4

The Army-Navy game may not be the cheapest around. It is a desired ticket for many fans. So expect to pay a decent amount of money. That, coupled with pretty expensive parking, means the game will not be cheap. But for the experience you will get, the price seems fair and reasonable.

Extras 5

It is the Army-Navy game, so that is probably enough as it is. But there are other reasons to attend.

Stay outside the stadium to witness the walk of the Cadets and Midshipmen into the stadium. Then get inside to watch the formations form on the field. It is well worth attending just for this.

The game will always have a good flyover pre-game, whether it is Army helicopters or Navy jets that you prefer. The Navy and Army will also always have skydivers jumping into the opening ceremony.

Both the Navy and Army have ships and other large equipment around town and at the Inner Harbor displaying their awesome firepower.

Don’t forget that you are at the epicenter of Baltimore football, so stop and take a look at the Johnny Unitas statue located at the end of Ravenswalk and in front of the stadium. That and the brand new Ray Lewis statue are honors to iconic men of Baltimore lore, not to mention a great pre-game meeting spot.

Final Thoughts

The Army-Navy game is one of the most special events a sports fan can ever attend. The overall pageantry of the event and the pure sports aspect of the contest make it a must-see for any real sports fan.