Philadelphia…December 10, 2015…The rivalry between the Army and Navy returns to Philadelphia this Saturday, December 12 and is expected to draw 50,000 visitors to Philadelphia, generating an economic impact of $35 million for the region*. Out-of-town visitors will consume 17,000 hotel room nights, making this one of the busiest hotel weekends of the year, according to PHLSports, a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), which produces the event for the City of Philadelphia in conjunction with the service academies and the Philadelphia Eagles. 

“Our hotels, restaurants and bars typically do extremely well during Army-Navy weekend and we expect that this weekend will be no different, as visitors from all across the country pour into Philadelphia to show their support for this time-honored tradition,” said Larry Needle, Executive Director of PHLSports.

“The hotel industry is thrilled to have the Army-Navy Game back in Philadelphia this weekend,” said Ed Grose, executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association (GPHA). “Historically, the game has had a huge impact on hotel bookings for the city.”

The Cadets of Army and Midshipmen of Navy play at 3:00 p.m. this Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field, in one of the nation's most time-honored sports traditions, touted as “one of the top five best sporting events to see live,” according to the Robert Tuchman book 'The 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live.” Fans can show their support at one of several events leading up to the Game including a public pep rally with the Academy's Pep Bands and cheerleaders, Boxing Classic, Gala, fan tailgates and more.

Philadelphia will also host the Army-Navy Game in 2017.

For more information on all Army-Navy Weekend activities, visit www.PhillyLovesArmyNavy.com. Like the Army-Navy Game Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PhillyLovesArmyNavy or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/PhillyArmyNavy

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PHLSports, a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, seeks to attract major sporting events and conventions to the Philadelphia area. PHLSports produces the Army-Navy Game presented by USAA for the City of Philadelphia in conjunction with the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy and the Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia will also host the game in 2017.

*Based on a study conducted by Econsult Corporation in 2006.