The oldest rivalry in college football returns for its 150th edition on Saturday, November 22, 2025, when the Harvard Crimson travel to face the Yale Bulldogs at the Yale Bowl Stadium in New Haven, Connecticut. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and for the first time in decades, the matchup carries the weight of a full century and a half of tradition — not just as a game, but as a living monument to American collegiate athletics.
A Rivalry Older Than the NFL
The first Harvard-Yale game was played on November 13, 1875, at Hamilton Field in New Haven, with Harvard winning 4-0 under rules that blended rugby and soccer. No professional league existed then. The NFL wouldn’t form for another 45 years. Yet here we are, 150 years later, and the same two schools still meet annually — rain, snow, or shine — with alumni spanning continents gathering to watch. This isn’t just football. It’s ritual. It’s family. It’s history you can feel in the cold air of the Yale Bowl.Both teams enter the game with momentum. Harvard, ranked 25th (RV) in the FCS polls, brings a 7-2 record and a balanced offense led by quarterback Ethan Delaney. Yale, at 6-3, counters with a stingy defense that’s allowed just 17.4 points per game this season. The winner claims the Ivy League crown and an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs — a rare prize for a team outside the Power Five.
How to Watch: TV, Radio, and Streaming
The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU, with radio coverage carried by 92.9 FM WBOS, 1330 AM, and 1450 AM. For those who can’t tune in on traditional TV, ESPN+ offers full live-streaming access with multi-angle replays, live stats, and sideline audio. ESPN’s official game page confirms the matchup under "Harvard Crimson vs. Yale Bulldogs," with real-time updates available on their app and website.YouTube TV subscribers may also catch the broadcast — though it’s not guaranteed to include the game in its standard package. Those with a free trial should act fast: the game is scheduled for late morning, and many viewers will be tuning in from work or school.
Global Viewing Parties: Chicago to Munich
This isn’t just a local event. Alumni have turned it into a worldwide celebration.In Chicago, the Harvard Club of Chicago is hosting its annual viewing party at Piece Brewery and Pizzeria (1927 W North Ave). Doors open at 10:45 a.m. CT (11:45 a.m. ET), with gourmet pizza, chili, and unlimited beer flowing until 3:00 p.m. CT. Admission runs $60 for members, $50 for recent grads (2015–2025), and just $25 for students and kids under 21. "There’s no valet, no reserved parking," warns the club. "Use ParkMobile or SpotHero — and read every street sign. Metered spots vanish by 10 a.m."
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the Harvard Club of Munich is gathering alumni at Die2 Bar (Hauptstrasse 15, Neubiberg, Germany). While the official 2025 timing hasn’t been published, last year’s event ran from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. CET — meaning kickoff (12 p.m. ET) will be 6 p.m. local time. Expect German beer, American snacks, and a chorus of "Go Crimson!" echoing through the Bavarian night.
Why This Matters Beyond the Scoreboard
This isn’t just about who wins the trophy. It’s about legacy. The Harvard-Yale rivalry predates the World Series, the Rose Bowl, and even the first Harvard alumni magazine. It’s one of the few traditions that survived the Civil War, two world wars, and the digital revolution. Over 110,000 fans have attended the game in person since 1900. Alumni donate millions annually to both schools — not just for scholarships, but for the game itself."You don’t just watch The Game," says David Chen, a 1998 Harvard grad who’s attended 27 straight editions. "You live it. You remember where you were when your team won. Or lost. You cry. You hug strangers. You call your dad. It’s the one day a year your class feels like it still matters."
The Harvard Club of Chicago even plans to hand out "Super Crimson" insignia pins to door prize winners — a nod to the decades-old tradition of alumni wearing vintage team gear. Last year, one woman wore her 1968 Harvard varsity jacket. She was 82. She cried when Harvard won.
What’s Next for Both Teams
The winner of this game will likely face a tough path in the FCS playoffs — possibly a road game against North Dakota State or South Dakota State. The loser? A quiet November weekend. But even then, the season doesn’t end. Harvard’s men’s basketball team opens its campaign at Boston College on Sunday, November 23, at 4:00 p.m. ET. Yale’s squad heads to Charleston for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off the same day. For many players, this is just the beginning.
Historical Footnote: The First Game Wasn’t Even Football
The 1875 game used a round ball and allowed players to carry it — more rugby than football. Harvard won 4-0, scoring two goals (not touchdowns) and two safeties. Yale didn’t even have a coach. The teams didn’t agree on rules until 1876, when Harvard’s captain, William C. Warren, helped draft the first standardized set of American football rules. Without that moment, there would be no NFL. No college bowl season. No ESPN. Just chaos.Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Harvard vs Yale for free?
Yes — but only if you have access to a cable provider that includes ESPNU. Otherwise, ESPN+ requires a subscription ($10.99/month), though you can sign up for a seven-day free trial. Local radio stations like WBOS stream the game live for free on their websites. The Yale Bowl also offers free parking for students with valid IDs — but no public livestream is available without a paid service.
Why is this game called "The Game"?
The term "The Game" was coined in the 1920s by Harvard and Yale alumni to distinguish it from all other matchups. It’s not just another rivalry — it’s the rivalry. No other college football game has lasted 150 years without interruption. Even during World War II, when both schools suspended most athletics, they played in 1944 and 1945. The name stuck because, for generations, everything else faded in comparison.
Are tickets still available to attend the game in person at the Yale Bowl?
Yes — but only through the official Yale Athletics ticket portal. General admission is $25 for adults, $10 for students, and free for children under 12. Over 25,000 tickets were sold by November 10, and the stadium capacity is capped at 28,000. Parking is extremely limited, and shuttles from New Haven’s Union Station are recommended. No tailgating is permitted inside the bowl — only in designated lots outside.
How do the Harvard and Yale alumni clubs coordinate these global events?
The Harvard Alumni Association and Yale Alumni Association maintain a shared calendar of official viewing events, but local clubs run them independently. The Harvard Club of Chicago and Munich operate on their own budgets — often funded by ticket sales and sponsorships from local businesses. There’s no central funding. The magic comes from alumni who remember their college days and want to recreate that feeling for others — even across oceans.
What happens if it snows during the game?
Snow has never canceled The Game. In 1998, heavy snow forced a 90-minute delay — but the game resumed with players covered in ice. In 2010, the field was so slippery that Harvard’s kicker wore cleats with spikes. Yale’s defense held on fourth down in the final minute. The final score? 13-10. The game was called "The Snow Bowl" — and it’s still replayed on ESPN Classic every November.
Is this game broadcast internationally?
Yes — ESPN+ offers global streaming access, and the game is also available on ESPN’s international feeds in Canada, the UK, and parts of Asia. The Harvard Club of Munich and similar groups in Tokyo, London, and Sydney help promote access. However, some countries block ESPN+ due to licensing restrictions. Fans in those regions often rely on VPNs or local alumni networks to find group viewings.