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Executive Order 14396
Preserving America's Game
Signed March 20, 2026, printed at 91 FR 14639. 2 sections of substance, 503 words.
This order is about the Army-Navy football game. It says new playoff dates may crowd it out. It asks for a set date to be kept.
Sec. 1. Purpose
For over a century, the Army-Navy Game, known as ``America's Game,'' has stood as a symbol of excellence and the American spirit. Now, the recent and potentially ongoing expansion of the College Football Playoffs (CFP) and other postseason college football games threatens to encroach upon the second Saturday in December--a date traditionally reserved exclusively for ``America's Game.'' Such scheduling conflicts weaken the national focus on our Military Service Academies and detract from a morale-building event of vital interest to the Department of War. Accordingly, it is the policy of the United States that no college football game, specifically college football's CFP or other postseason games, be broadcast in a manner that directly conflicts with the Army-Navy Game.
For over a century, the Army-Navy Game, known as ``America's Game,'' has stood as a symbol of excellence and the American spirit. Now, the recent and potentially ongoing expansion of the College Football Playoffs (CFP) and other postseason college football games threatens to encroach upon the second Saturday in December--a date traditionally reserved exclusively for ``America's Game.'' Such scheduling conflicts weaken the national focus on our Military Service Academies and detract from a morale-building event of vital interest to the Department of War. Accordingly, it is the policy of the United States that no college football game, specifically college football's CFP or other postseason games, be broadcast in a manner that directly conflicts with the Army-Navy Game.
This states the aim. It calls the Army Navy game a century old tradition. It says the game stands for excellence. It notes the college playoff has grown. It says those games may fall on the same Saturday. That date belongs to the Army Navy game. It says such clashes hurt focus on the service academies. It bars the conflict.
Sec. 2. Implementation
(a) The Secretary of Commerce and the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) shall coordinate with the CFP Committee, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, related organizations, other appropriate Government agencies, and the playoffs' broadcast and media rights partners with the goal of establishing an exclusive window for the Army-Navy Game, during which no other college football game is broadcast. (b) The Chairman of the FCC shall consider reviewing the public interest obligations of broadcast licensees to determine whether those obligations would require that the Army-Navy Game remain a national service event.
(a) The Secretary of Commerce and the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) shall coordinate with the CFP Committee, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, related organizations, other appropriate Government agencies, and the playoffs' broadcast and media rights partners with the goal of establishing an exclusive window for the Army-Navy Game, during which no other college football game is broadcast. (b) The Chairman of the FCC shall consider reviewing the public interest obligations of broadcast licensees to determine whether those obligations would require that the Army-Navy Game remain a national service event.
This says how to protect the date. Commerce and the broadcast agency must work with college football bodies. The playoff committee is named. So is the college sports association. Media partners are included. The aim is a clear window for the game. No other college game would air then. The broadcast agency must also review license duties.
Sec. 3. General Provisions
Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. [[Page 14640]] (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of War. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, March 20, 2026. [FR Doc. 2026-05867 Filed 3-24-26; 11:15 am] Billing code 6001-FR-P </pre></body> </html>
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. [[Page 14640]] (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of War. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, March 20, 2026. [FR Doc. 2026-05867 Filed 3-24-26; 11:15 am] Billing code 6001-FR-P </pre></body> </html>
This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.
- The order itself
Executive Order 14396, “Preserving America's Game,” signed March 20, 2026, 91 FR 14639 (March 25, 2026).
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/25/2026-05867/preserving-americas-game - This page
Executive Order 14396, quoted section by section. Read the Mandate, https://readthemandate.org/orders/eo-14396/ (retrieved October 8, 2026).
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