Excitement builds over first Army-Navy game in New England

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (WLNE) — Excitement over America’s Game is building at Gillette Stadium and across New England a little over 24 hours from kickoff.

Fans in Foxborough were out and about early Friday to take part in all the festivities of the historic Army-Navy game.

It’s a historic rivalry that’s difficult to describe for those who haven’t served — the competition is an allegory for the respect between the service academies.

No matter who wins, Army and Navy will leave it all out on the field and come together and sing the hymns arm in arm.

The special meaning of the game, however, couldn’t douse the fire between fan animosity.

The Army-Navy game will be held at Gillette Stadium, the first in game history to be played in New England. (WLNE)

“Hopefully Army crushes Navy,” one fan told ABC 6 News.

The tensions were on the rise over the biggest game of the year.

ABC 6 also caught up with fans at the Pro Shop, who were getting their hands on some Army-Navy 2023 gear before the 124th edition of the historic rivalry.

“I figured I’d come out today, grab some swag, and tomorrow morning, check out game day,” said marine veteran Sean Noumi.

Madeline Fulton, an army veteran herself, has a son in the navy.

“You walk by someone wearing Army Gear and say ‘Go Navy!’ and they growl at you, but we do the same to them,” she told ABC 6.

The Army-Navy game will be held at Gillette Stadium, the first in game history to be played in New England. (WLNE)

Fans from all over made the trip to New England to route for their chosen service academy.

Many who didn’t want to shell out hundreds of dollars for the hottest ticket in town still checked out the festivities, getting some gear for when they watch the game at home with their service buddies.

“I’m gonna get picked on pretty good because I’m gonna be rooting for Navy, because I’m Coast Guard and that’s the closest thing to those guys but it will be a friendly competition,” said Coast Guard veteran Sean Markell. “I’ll get beat down a little bit by the Army guys but it’ll be good.”

Fans agreed that whichever team wins, it’s all about comradery.

“You’re compiled with teammates that are willing to risk their lives for this country, but then we all come together for this game and root each other on,” Fulton said.

Tell ABC 6 which team you’re rooting for: