Seersucker suits, wide-brimmed hats and mallets will fill the lawn April 18 as St. John’s College and the U.S. Naval Academy meet for the 42nd annual Annapolis Cup. As far as traditions goes, The ever famous croquet match will take place for the 42nd time, on April 18, as St. John’s College and the U.S. Naval Academy face off against each other.
The Annapolis Cup is one of Naptown’s best-known secrets. The famous croquet match dates back to 1982 when a U.S. Naval Academy commandant told a freshman from St. John’s that the Midshipmen could defeat the Johnnies in any sport. “How about croquet?” the Johnnie replied. Later, in an effort to improve relations between the schools, he suggested the match to a group of Midshipmen. In 1983, the first match took place.
Since then, St. John’s has posted 32 wins, while the Midshipmen have recorded nine. Last year, the Midshipmen took home the trophy, snapping back-to-back victories by the Johnnies in 2023 and 2024.
In recent years, the match has drawn significant attention and sponsorships, including PNC Bank, now in its third year. The match is set to begin at 12:45 PM, with opening ceremonies at noon. It is expected to end between 4 and 6 PM, with all guests required to leave by 7 PM.
One of the most notable aspects of the day is the attire. While there is no mandatory dress code, it is often compared to the Preakness. Attendees are encouraged to wear “afternoon dress,” such as spring or summer dresses, hats, lightweight sport coats and ties. Shoes must be worn at all times on event grounds.
The event is cash-free, meaning all purchases will be charged to the credit card linked to each attendee’s wristband. Food vendors will open at 10:30 AM and close at 5 PM, with alcohol sales running from 11:15 AM to 4 PM. Outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted, though picnic food and sealed nonalcoholic drinks are allowed. Water refill stations will be available.
Lawn chairs, blankets, strollers and tables no taller than 2 feet are permitted. Tents, large umbrellas, grills and signs are not allowed. General parking on campus is prohibited; however, free weekend parking will be available at the state garage at St. John’s and Calvert streets.
For tickets and more information, visit the St. John’s College Croquet website. Children younger than 10 are admitted free. General admission is $86.70. Gates open at 10:30 AM on April 18 and close at 4 PM.
For those looking to brush up on croquet knowledge: A full-size court is a 50-by-100-foot rectangle with two wooden stakes and nine metal wickets arranged in a double-diamond configuration. The objective is to move balls through the course using a mallet. Each wicket and stake completed in the proper sequence earns a point. The first team to score two stake points and 14 wicket points per ball wins. Each side fields 12 players, divided into two-person teams.
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