Trump issues executive order requiring CFP to avoid broadcasting conflicts with Army-Navy game [View all]

Source: AP

Updated 2:26 PM EDT, March 20, 2026


WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump issued an executive order Friday barring College Football Playoff and other postseason games from airing during the annual Army-Navy matchup in December.

Trump directed the commerce secretary and the FCC chairman to coordinate with the playoff committee, the NCAA and media rights partners to ensure an exclusive broadcasting window for the storied rivalry traditionally played the second Saturday each December.

Trump’s order makes reference to potential expansion of the CFP, which likely would lead to an earlier start for the playoff. In the first two years of the 12-team format, the first-round games were the weekend after Army-Navy. This year, Army-Navy is scheduled for Dec. 12 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the home of the NFL’s New York Giants and Jets. The CFP first-round games are set for Dec. 18-19.

If the playoff were to expand to 24 teams, a model that has been discussed, at least one more week of games would be required. Starting the postseason earlier in December would be a consideration. A smaller expansion to 16 games wouldn’t necessarily change the number of weeks required for the playoff.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/trump-army-navy-game-cfp-05a8a6888b21f1f6bac3feee8f34cef6