Army-Navy Cup will be at Talen Energy Stadium through 2022

The Army-Navy Cup will be at Talen Energy Stadium for at least another five years, Keystone Sports and Entertainment announced on Thursday.

The Philadelphia Union ownership group also announced that this year’s edition of the match between the two service academies will be played on Friday, October 12.

“Keystone Sports and Entertainment is honored to host this annual match and we are proud that it will return for a minimum of five additional years here at Talen Energy Stadium,” said Tim McDermott, Chief Business Officer, Philadelphia Union. “We are excited for the 2018 edition of this classic rivalry and look forward to providing first-class hospitality for both military academies, featuring the future leaders of our country.”

The annual match between the Patriot League rivals was first staged in 2012. The teams have played to an even 2-2-2 record in front of crowds that have consistently been among the largest in Division 1 men’s soccer. A total of 48,807 fans have attended the matches.

The attendance at last year’s match — 8,143 — was the third largest for a college game last year and far exceeded the 5,764 announced attendance at the College Cup final at Talen Energy Stadium in December.

Army-Navy Cup Attendance
2017 - 8,143
2016 - 10,092
2015 - 9,316
2014 - 10,168
2013 - 7,416
2012 - 3,672

Two current Philadelphia Union Academy players — midfielder Cole Turner and defender JD Wagner — are committed to join the Navy men’s program in the fall of 2019.

Villanova will also be hosting a college soccer game at the home of the Philadelphia Union this fall with a non-conference match against Penn State on September 8.