The 24th Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl is set for Wednesday, December 23, 2026 at TCU’s Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. Kickoff is 4:30 PM Central, and the game airs on ESPN.
This is the Bowl for the Brave, and this year it carries extra weight. Organizers say the 2026 game will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. Executive director Brant Ringler puts the mission simply: everything the bowl does is aimed at recognition, appreciation and steady support for veterans and active duty service members.
The Armed Forces Bowl was the first college bowl game to host all three service academy football teams, and academy programs have appeared 14 times in the last 19 years. The matchup for 2026 had not been announced in the bowl’s date release, so watch ArmedForcesBowl.com for the teams.
Past games have featured fan fest areas showing off military hardware, flyovers, demonstrations by some of the military’s top parachute teams, and custom homes and vehicles awarded to wounded warriors. The bowl also runs recognition programs such as its Great American Patriot Award. Expect the game day to be built around honoring people who serve, not just the score.
The game lands two days before Christmas, the first time since 2023 that it has been played before the holiday. That makes it a solid family outing for military households in North Texas, and an easy watch party for everyone else.
Ticket options are listed on the official bowl website. The bowl is owned and operated by ESPN Events.
When: Wednesday, December 23, 2026, 4:30 PM CT kickoff
Where: Amon G. Carter Stadium, TCU, Fort Worth, TX
TV: ESPN
More for this community: browse upcoming military events, catch the Army-Navy Game 2026, or submit your own event.
Event contact: Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl through the contact page at ArmedForcesBowl.com. Official announcement: 24th Armed Forces Bowl set for Dec. 23.
