ESPN Extends Media Rights Agreement For Secretaries’ Cup Through 2030

September 1, 2026 – The nationally televised Secretaries’ Cup rivalry between the United States Coast Guard Academy and the United States Merchant Marine Academy will continue to be showcased on ESPN networks through 2030 following a new five-year media rights agreement between ESPN and the two academies.

The renewed agreement begins with the 46th Secretaries’ Cup game on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. Kickoff between Coast Guard and Merchant Marine is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, with the game set to be broadcast live on ESPN+.

The five-year extension covers each annual Secretaries’ Cup matchup from 2026 through 2030, ensuring continued national exposure for one of college football’s most meaningful service-academy rivalries.

“We are thrilled to continue our relationship with ESPN and the tremendous national platform it provides for the Secretaries’ Cup through the 2030 season,” said Coast Guard Academy Athletic Director Dr. Dan Rose. “Over the past several years, we’ve seen growing interest in this historic rivalry, highlighted by unforgettable venues such as Fenway Park and, this year, Audi Field in our nation’s capital. ESPN’s commitment to showcasing this game has been instrumental in expanding awareness not only of a great college football tradition, but also of the vital missions carried out by the U.S. Coast Guard and our U.S. Merchant Mariners, and the exceptional young men and women who answer the call to serve. The Secretaries’ Cup represents far more than a football game, and we look forward to sharing its story with audiences across the country for years to come.”

“We are thrilled to extend our relationship with ESPN and bring the Secretaries’ Cup to an even broader national audience,” said United States Merchant Marine Academy Athletic Director Kristofer Schnatz. “This rivalry represents so much more than a football game – it showcases the tradition, leadership, service, and competitive spirit of two outstanding federal service academies. The opportunity to continue sharing this historic event with fans across the country is incredibly exciting, and we look forward to building on the momentum of this great relationship.”

The extension comes as the Secretaries’ Cup continues to grow as a national showcase for the missions, student-athletes and alumni of both federal service academies.

The first neutral-site Secretaries’ Cup was played at Fenway Park in Boston in 2025 and produced a dramatic 39-38 Merchant Marine victory. The rivalry will move to the nation’s capital in 2026 as part of the nationwide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

Audi Field provides a fitting stage for a matchup between two academies whose parent agencies – the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Transportation – are headquartered in Washington, D.C.

“ESPN taking on the Secretaries’ Cup in 2017 was a major step forward in elevating this great rivalry and bringing it the national exposure it deserves,” said Merchant Marine Head Coach Jameson Croall. “Over the past nine years, the ESPN team has treated our Academies, our rivalry and, most importantly, our midshipmen with tremendous respect and reverence, shining a deserving spotlight on these remarkable young men and women. This extension is incredibly important to the continued growth of the Secretaries’ Cup and ensures that our alumni, families and supporters, from coast to coast and sea to sea, can continue to share in this rivalry through the elite viewing experience ESPN provides.”

“It’s great for both schools that ESPN has extended the TV deal to carry the Secretaries’ Cup another five years,” said Coast Guard Head Coach CC Grant. “No matter where you are located, it’s great that you can watch the game if you can’t make it in person.”

Coast Guard and Merchant Marine first met on the football field in 1949, with the schools playing nine times before the Secretaries’ Cup was established in 1981. Since the trophy’s inception, the annual rivalry has grown into one of the premier traditions among the nation’s federal service academies. The 2026 matchup will be the 46th game contested for the Secretaries’ Cup and the 54th meeting overall.

“We’re pleased to extend ESPN’s relationship with the Secretaries’ Cup and continue showcasing this meaningful matchup between the Merchant Marine Academy and Coast Guard Academy,” said Michael Feinberg, Manager of ESPN Programming & Acquisitions. “This multi-year renewal reflects our ongoing commitment to this storied rivalry as it evolves, as well as ESPN’s standing as the home of college football.”

Ticket information for the 2026 Secretaries’ Cup at Audi Field is available through Ticketmaster. For additional information about the game, visit SecretariesCup.com.