2026 Freedom Mortgage Military Bowl Set for December 28

National Capital Region’s college football bowl game will kick off
at 2 p.m. ET at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis

The 2026 Freedom Mortgage Military Bowl will be played on Monday, Dec. 28 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md., the Military Bowl Foundation announced. The game once again will match teams from the ACC and the American Conference.

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on ESPN. Proceeds from the Bowl benefit Patriot Point, the Military Bowl Foundation’s 294-acre retreat for wounded, ill and injured service members, their families and caregivers.

The Freedom Mortgage Military Bowl will be the only bowl game on ESPN on Dec. 28.

“We can’t wait to welcome two great teams to the National Capital Region and take the field in Annapolis for the first game with the Military Bowl’s new title sponsor, Freedom Mortgage!” Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “Freedom Mortgage and the Military Bowl are committed to supporting and honoring our nation’s service members and this will be another outstanding patriotic event dedicated to these brave men and women.”

East Carolina defeated Pitt, 23-17, in the 2025 Military Bowl.

The Freedom Mortgage Military Bowl is the culmination of Bowl Week, with the teams staying, practicing and enjoying events in Washington, D.C., while their fans enjoy Military Bowl Eve and gameday in Annapolis.

“The Freedom Mortgage Military Bowl has become an annual destination for so many college football fans, combining the pageantry of college football with supporting those who defend our freedoms at home and abroad,” Beck said. “It has become a tradition for so many local residents and we are excited to welcome even more fans this year.”