EAST RUTHERFORD – Saturday’s Army-Navy game marked the 122^nd meeting between Army’s Black Knights and Navy’s Midshipmen – and the real winners were the 80,000+ fans in attendance to witness this historic rivalry.

New Jersey was proud to host this year’s Army-Navy game, which was especially meaningful as this past September marked the 20th Anniversary of 9/11. The game was played at MetLife Stadium, which lies in the shadows of where the North & South Towers of the World Trade Center once stood.

The game broke MetLife Stadium’s college football attendance record with 82,282 fans attending, and the Murphy Administration, NJ TRANSIT, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) and MetLife worked closely in the months leading up to the game to ensure all those who chose mass transit to get to the game had the best possible customer experience. NJ TRANSIT transported 6,000 fans to the game and 10,500 from the game.

“Our State was proud to host the 2021 Army-Navy game and to provide a seamless experience to the thousands of fans attending,” said Governor Murphy, “More than ever before, New Jersey is equipped to handle large-scale sporting events with NJ TRANSIT and our partners at MetLife Stadium. Whether it is world-class restaurants and hotels, proximity to New York City and two international airports, or reliable transit options, New Jersey has much to offer to those traveling for the many high-profile events that take place in our sports and entertainment venues.”

“A reliable public transit system is a critical component of the State’s overall mobility, and that includes the ability to support transportation for major events like Saturday’s Army-Navy Game at MetLife Stadium,” said NJDOT Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “NJ TRANSIT delivered an exceptional experience for attendees from across the country, reinforcing why New Jersey is the ideal host for events of national significance.”

“NJ TRANSIT was pleased to be able to do our part to contribute to the success of yesterday’s Army-Navy Game at MetLife Stadium,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett. “My personal bias for Navy aside, we have again demonstrated our ability to provide seamless transportation for a major, sold-out MetLife Stadium event.”

“The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authorit  was honored to have helped bring the greatest college sports rivalry to MetLife Stadium, showcasing young men that will go on to serve our country,” NJSEA President and CEO Vincent Prieto. “The teamwork between the agencies that planned the event is testimony to New Jersey’s ability to bring the biggest sporting events to the greatest stage in the country.”

“We were honored to bring America’s Game, which has become more than a football game, to New Jersey,” said MetLife Stadium President and CEO Ron VandeVeen. “Governor Murphy’s commitment to improve the rail system was in full display yesterday.  We appreciate all the hard work our staff, the NJSEA, NJ TRANSIT and the Murphy administration put into making this event a great success.”

New Jersey was honored to have been the home of the 2021 Army-Navy game, and to have the opportunity to showcase the State’s ability to deliver a world-class experience for a large-scale event of national significance. New Jersey/New York is a Host Candidate City finalist for the 2026 FIFA World Cup…and we’re ready!