Military Bowl 2020 Canceled For Lack Of Teams: Organizers

ANNAPOLIS, MD — After shifting plans to play without fans because of coronavirus concerns, organizers of the Military Bowl for 2020 said Monday that the Dec. 28 game has been canceled after many teams opted not to play in bowl games this year.

The bowl, matching teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the American Athletic Conference, was scheduled for Dec. 28 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.

“While so many people worked tirelessly to make this year’s Military Bowl happen, this is an incredibly disappointing step to take,” Military Bowl President and Executive Director Steve Beck said in a news release. “We are appreciative of the many sponsors who join our mission to honor and support the armed forces, especially our new presenting sponsor Perspecta, as well as our partners at the United States Naval Academy and those in state and local government who worked to ensure a safe environment at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium."

Maryland, Penn State, USC, Virginia Tech, Stanford, Pitt and other football programs have decided not to play in bowl gamesnot to play in bowl games amid the pandemic.

“It’s happening all over the country,” Beck told the Capital Gazette. “It’s a sign of the times we’re in with this virus running all over the place. So many teams have backed out of bowl games.”

Tulsa and Virginia Tech seemed likely to receive Military Bowl bids but Tulsa is instead headed to the Armed Forces Bowl in Texas and the Hokies decided to forego playing a bowl game, the newspaper reported.

Bowl games canceled so far this season include: Bahamas, Birmingham, Celebration, Fenway, Frisco, Guaranteed Rate, Hawai'i, Holiday, Independence, LA, Las Vegas, Military, Pinstripe, Quick Lane, Redbox, and Sun bowl, CBS Sports reports.

Nearly two dozen college teams chose not to participate in bowl games, including Boise State, Boston College, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Penn State, Pittsburgh, San Diego State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Utah, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Washington, and Washington State, the network said.

“While this year’s game will not happen, the Military Bowl remains committed to its mission. In addition to raising awareness for our nation’s service men and women, the bowl also has donated more than $1 million for the USO and founded and operates a first-class retreat for recovering service members, their families and caregivers at Patriot Point.”

On Dec. 14 organizers said that fans would not be allowed to attend this year’s game due to safety restrictions necessitated by the ongoing global health crisis. But surging case numbers across the country prompted a growing number of programs to skip the postseason.

The Military Bowl presented by Perspecta, benefits the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore.

Those wishing to participate in the Season of Support, a month-long effort to drive awareness and raise funds for USO-Metro, can visit militarybowl.link/support or .text “USO” to 243725. To contribute to Patriot Point, visit patriotpoint.org/donate.