As summer winds down and kids head back to school, family calendars can quickly fill with practices, activities and other commitments. Finding quality time together can get harder, but Navy Athletics offers Annapolis families an easy, affordable, and fun way to spend a day together.
The U.S. Naval Academy is home to several NCAA Division I sports programs with a strong local following. Whether you’re cheering from the stands at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium or catching soccer or rugby on the Yard, a Navy game can turn an ordinary family outing into something more local that gives you some hometown pride.
Midshipmen Football
Few things say fall in Annapolis quite like a Navy football game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
The Midshipmen are coming off an impressive 11-2 season in 2025, tying the program record for most wins in a season. Navy defeated Army 17-16 and capped the year with a 35-13 victory over Cincinnati in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The team finished the season ranked No. 23 nationally in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls.
Expectations are high again this year. Navy received 10 voting points in the 2026 AP preseason poll, tied with South Carolina for the 31st-highest total.
For families with younger Navy fans, the Navy Kidshipmen Club offers special perks for kids ages 12 and younger. Membership is $30 for the first child and $25 for each additional sibling, plus a $10 shipping fee for membership gifts. Benefits include:
- Free admission to the Oct. 10 Navy football home game against Tulsa with the purchase of a discounted adult ticket
- Access to the pregame Kids Club tailgate on Oct. 10 with sponsor giveaways
- Free admission to select basketball, wrestling, and lacrosse events with the purchase of a discounted adult ticket
- Discounts on birthday parties
- A monthly newsletter with Kidshipmen activities and information
- A birthday card from Bill the Goat
Tailgating is another big part of the Navy football experience. Before kickoff, fans gather in the parking lots surrounding Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium to eat, hang out, and get into the game-day spirit.
If you’d rather grab food inside, the stadium offers plenty of options, from local favorites like Always Ice Cream and Picante Cocina Mexicana to Chick-fil-A and classic stadium fare.
Navy opens the 2026 season at home against Towson on Sept. 5, followed by its first conference game at Florida Atlantic on Sept. 12. The Midshipmen will host five regular-season games in Annapolis this fall. Check out the full 2026 Navy football schedule to find a game that works for your family.
Soccer & Rugby on the Yard
Football isn’t the only way to cheer on the Mids this fall.
Navy’s men’s soccer and women’s soccer teams play at Glenn Warner Soccer Facility on the Yard, giving families a chance to see Division I soccer in a smaller, more relaxed setting.
Admission to games at Glenn Warner is free. Because the general public cannot drive onto the Yard, fans can park at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for a fee and take a shuttle to the soccer facility. Fans ages 18 and older should also bring a government-issued photo ID.
Check the men’s soccer schedule or women’s soccer schedule before heading out to find upcoming home matches and game-day information.
Rugby offers another family-friendly option. Navy’s men’s and women’s teams play at Prusmack Rugby Center, where fans can get close to the action and experience one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.
Admission to men’s rugby games at Prusmack Rugby Center is free, and spectator parking is available near the Brigade Sports Complex. Check the men’s rugby schedule and women’s rugby schedule for upcoming matches.
Pack some snacks, bring the kids, and cheer on the Mids for a laid-back afternoon on the sidelines.
Try Something Different
Looking for something beyond the usual stadium experience? Navy’s fall sports calendar offers plenty of opportunities to branch out.
Cross country meets, for example, give families a completely different way to experience Navy Athletics. The Midshipmen host the Cantello Invitational in Annapolis on Sept. 12, along with the annual Army-Navy meet on Oct. 17. You can find dates and details on the Navy men’s cross country schedule.
Instead of sitting in the stands, families can watch runners race across the course, move around to catch the action and bring along their best cheering voice — or even a cowbell.
With so many sports to choose from, the U.S. Naval Academy gives Annapolis families an easy way to stay connected, entertained and active throughout the busy fall season.
Whether it’s the electric atmosphere of a Saturday football game, the fast-paced action of soccer and rugby or the unique experience of a cross country meet, there’s something for nearly every kind of sports fan. Better yet, these outings offer a chance to make family memories, support Midshipmen student-athletes and be part of a tradition that’s uniquely Annapolis.
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