Army-Navy football games attended by each U.S. President since the end of World War II (post-1945 games).
The tradition of U.S. Presidents attending the Army-Navy Game is a symbolic act of unity and support for the military. While not required, a President's presence honors the future officers of the U.S. Armed Forces and elevates the rivalry beyond sport into a national ritual.
Attendance varies by President. Harry S. Truman holds the post-war record with seven games, while several others attended none. In recent decades, visits have become more common, with George W. Bush and Donald Trump each attending multiple times.
More than just watching football, the Commander-in-Chief typically walks the sidelines, meets the teams, and participates in the coin toss—a public display of impartial respect for both academies. The tradition reinforces that the game embodies the values of duty, honor, and respectful competition at the heart of American service.
Many Army-Navy Games Each Modern President Has Attended
Harry S. Truman (1945–1953): 7
Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953–1961): 0
John F. Kennedy (1961–1963): 2
Lyndon B. Johnson (1963–1969): 0
Richard Nixon (1969–1974): 0
Gerald Ford (1974–1977): 1
Jimmy Carter (1977–1981): 0
Ronald Reagan (1981–1989): 0
George H.W. Bush (1989–1993): 0
Bill Clinton (1993–2001): 1
George W. Bush (2001–2009): 3
Barack Obama (2009–2017): 1
Donald Trump (2017–2020): 3
Joe Biden (2021–2025): 0
Donald Trump (2nd Term): 1
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