UTSA Football Hosts Navy at Alamodome October 17 for Historic First Matchup and Military Appreciation Game
San Antonio football fans have plenty to look forward to this Saturday as UTSA Football welcomes the Navy Midshipmen to the Alamodome on October 17, 2026, for the first meeting between the two programs. With the Roadrunners enjoying one of their strongest starts in program history, the game carries significance both on the field and throughout the community.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., but the celebration begins hours earlier with tailgating, live entertainment, family activities and opportunities to recognize the military families and veterans who are an important part of San Antonio's identity.
The matchup is also UTSA's Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans game, presented by USAA, making the occasion especially meaningful in Military City USA. Fans can expect a patriotic pregame presentation, military recognitions and a special halftime ceremony honoring those who serve and have served.
UTSA Looks to Continue Strong Season Against Navy
The Roadrunners enter Saturday's game with a 5-1 overall record, their best six-game start since 2021, when the program captured its first conference championship.
Currently tied for first place in the American Conference standings, UTSA has an opportunity to strengthen its position in the conference championship race.
Before the season began, UTSA, Navy and Memphis were considered leading contenders for the 2026 American Conference title, with South Florida, Florida Atlantic and East Carolina also viewed as potential challengers.
UTSA comes into the matchup following a dramatic 31-24 victory over South Florida that gave Roadrunner fans plenty to celebrate.
Trailing 17-10 at halftime, UTSA rallied to take a 23-17 fourth-quarter lead before South Florida responded with a touchdown to go ahead by one point.
With less than two minutes remaining, quarterback Owen McCown helped lead the comeback with crucial runs of 19 and eight yards. Running back Will Henderson III followed with a 26-yard run that brought UTSA to the goal line with 18 seconds remaining.
On the next play, A'Marion Peterson powered through a tackle to score the game-winning touchdown.
The victory followed a memorable pregame atmosphere that included hundreds of fans gathering at Rowdy Town Live for a live recording of ESPN's SportsCenter on Campus.
Navy, meanwhile, arrives in San Antonio with a 2-3 record after defeating Tulsa 34-26 last weekend. Despite three narrow losses earlier in the season, the Midshipmen have shown signs of improvement, setting up a competitive conference matchup.
Historic Navy Matchup Brings Special Meaning to Military City USA
Saturday's game will be the first time UTSA and the United States Naval Academy have faced one another in football.
Navy is one of three United States service academies competing at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level, alongside Army and Air Force.
UTSA has previously faced Army six times and is scheduled to host Air Force for the first time on September 30, 2028.
For San Antonio, a city with deep connections to military service, the Navy matchup brings an additional community connection.
The Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans game will feature recognitions honoring the military community, a patriotic pregame display and a special halftime ceremony.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early to experience the military appreciation activities before kickoff.
Free Pregame Activities and Family Fun Begin at 4 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 | ALAMODOME
4 p.m. | H-E-B Plaza and VIA Bridge
This family-friendly pregame fan zone includes a live DJ, inflatables, a video game truck, carnival-style attractions, giveaways, food sampling and sponsor displays.
4 p.m. | H-E-B Plaza
UT San Antonio Alumni Association members can enjoy refreshments, merchandise and the popular BEAT buttons. Each member may bring one guest, and children younger than 12 are admitted free. A membership ID is required.
4:15 p.m. | Roadrunner Alley, between Lots B and C
Fans can cheer on the football team as Rowdy, the Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band and UTSA spirit squads accompany players toward the Alamodome.
Rowdy Town Live sponsors scheduled to participate include Alamo Biscuit Co., Animal Defense League, Chama Gaucha/J-Prime, Circle K, The County Line, Dos Equis, Firstmark Credit Union, Gameday Men's Health, Gold's Gym, North Park Subaru, Raising Cane's, Travel + Leisure, USAA, Whataburger and ZOA Energy.
For families looking for things to do in San Antonio this weekend, the pregame activities offer another way to enjoy the college football atmosphere before heading inside for the game.
UTSA vs. Navy Tickets, Student Admission and Alamodome Entry
Tickets for Saturday's UTSA football game are available through Ticketmaster or by calling or texting 210-458-UTSA (8872).
UTSA uses digital ticketing, and fans can manage their tickets through the university's official athletics ticketing website.
Current UT San Antonio students receive free admission to home athletic events and may purchase up to four guest tickets for the student section. Health campus student admission is also sponsored for this game, with guest tickets available at the student rate.
Students can claim tickets through UTSA Student Login.
For fans purchasing tickets at the stadium, the Alamodome Southwest Box Office opens at 10 a.m., while other box offices open at 4:30 p.m.
Alamodome doors open at 5:30 p.m., giving fans time to find their seats and enjoy the military appreciation presentation.
The Alamodome Clear Bag Policy will be enforced. Fans without bags can use designated security speed lanes. Attendees should have their digital tickets ready, increase their phone screen brightness and prepare their keys, phones and wallets for security screening.
Student seating is general admission in sections 122 through 131, with the Spirit of San Antonio band occupying sections 127 and 128.
Where to Park and How to Get to the Alamodome
With thousands of fans expected in downtown San Antonio, planning transportation before leaving home can help make the evening easier.
Alamodome parking and tailgating: Lots A, B and C open at 12:30 p.m. and are restricted to fans with previously purchased parking permits. Vehicles arriving before the scheduled opening will be directed to leave and return when the lots open. Tailgating must conclude within one hour after the game ends.
Limited accessible parking is available in Lot A on a first-come, first-served basis. A valid state-issued disability placard or other qualifying accessible parking authorization is required. Disabled Veteran license plates alone do not qualify a vehicle for ADA-designated parking.
Additional paid public parking is available throughout downtown San Antonio. Fans can review city parking options at sanantonio.gov.
VIA Park & Ride: VIA Metropolitan Transit will provide round-trip service to the Alamodome for $2.60, with reduced fares available for qualifying riders.
Service will operate from two locations:
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Crossroads Park & Ride, 151 Crossroads Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78201
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Brooks Walmart, 3302 SE Military Drive, San Antonio, TX 78223
Passengers can purchase fares online, at Park & Ride locations or through the VIA goMobile+ app. Cash and credit cards are accepted at the Park & Ride locations.
UT San Antonio students may use their VIA U-Pass. VIAtrans customers and children younger than five ride free. VIA Day Passes, 7-Day Passes, 31-Day Passes and U-Passes are valid for special event service, but regular VIA bus passes are not.
Free UTSA student shuttles: Shuttle service from the UT San Antonio Main Campus begins at 4 p.m., with drop-off at the Alamodome's Robert Thompson Transit Station. Return service begins at the start of the fourth quarter, and the final shuttle departs one hour after the game concludes.
Rideshare: Designated pickup and drop-off are in Lot D, next to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, near Montana Street and Tower of the Americas Way.
More Ways to Join the Roadrunner Game Day Experience
Fans attending Saturday's game can participate in the Rowdy Light Show during player introductions by downloading or updating the UTSA Roadrunners mobile app.
Within the app, users can select MORE, choose Rowdy Light Show and accept the necessary permissions. The app also provides ticket management, merchandise shopping, team news and score notifications.
Roadrunner merchandise will be available at the Rowdy Campus Store locations at H-E-B Plaza and near Roadrunner Alley, along with indoor merchandise counters near Alamodome sections 106 and 118.
Fans can also participate in university traditions by singing the UTSA fight song and alma mater and sharing their game day experiences with the hashtags #LetsGo210 and #BirdsUp.
Across campus, the Monument and Student Union Tower lights will shine blue and orange during home game weeks. If UTSA wins, the lights will turn orange for the remainder of the weekend.
How to Watch UTSA vs. Navy on TV or Listen Live
For San Antonio residents watching from home, Saturday's UTSA vs. Navy football game will be nationally televised on ESPNU, with streaming available through the ESPN app.
Ted Emrich will provide play-by-play commentary alongside analyst Fozzy Whitaker.
Local radio coverage will air on Sports Radio AM 760 The Ticket, ticket760.com and the free iHeartRadio app.
The UTSA Sports Media Network broadcast team includes Andy Everett on play-by-play, Jay Riley as analyst and Ed Suarez as reporter.
A pregame radio show hosted by Pat Evans begins at 5 p.m., followed by a 45-minute postgame broadcast.
A Saturday That Brings San Antonio Together
Beyond the conference standings, Saturday's matchup offers San Antonio families, UTSA alumni, students and military households an opportunity to come together around a shared hometown tradition.
For longtime Roadrunner supporters, the game represents another chance to see how far UTSA Football has progressed. For younger fans, it may be an opportunity to experience their first college football game, join the Spirit Walk or learn more about the city's connections to military service.
And for the Roadrunners, a victory over Navy would be another important step toward their American Conference championship ambitions.
Whether cheering inside the Alamodome, gathering with friends to watch on television or following the game from home, San Antonio fans have plenty of reasons to keep an eye on Saturday's historic matchup.
Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for more San Antonio community events, local sports coverage, family activities and updates that matter to area residents.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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