The U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy will face off in the 46th annual Secretaries' Cup on November 14 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. The rivalry between the two teams dates back to 1981, but the competition is now also a showdown between Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Last year's game was played at Fenway Park in Boston, where the Merchant Marines won 39-38 against the Coast Guard. This year's event coincides with the Coast Guard Academy's 150th anniversary celebration.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-04,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The 46th annual Secretaries' Cup college football game will be held on November 14 at Audi Field in Washington. The event marks a rivalry between the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, which began in 1981 and is now also a competition between two government departments: the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Department. This year's game will be a showdown between Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, with the teams facing off at 1 p.m. The Secretaries' Cup was previously known as the Secretary's Cup, but its name changed in 2003 when the Coast Guard moved to the Department of Homeland Security.
Written for “Secretaries' Cup Coming” on 2026-09-05,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
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No political leaning scored for article 4053 · logged 2026-09-04
The 46th annual Secretaries’ Cup is headed to Washington, continuing a rivalry that dates back to 1981 as the teams leave it all on the field in a battle for national fame.
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teams → head → fame
The college football game between the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy will take place at 1 p.m. Nov. 14 at Audi Field, according to the post.
uncertain
game → take → post
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made the announcement Friday on X.
The game also represents a 23-year rivalry between the Transportation Department and the Department of Homeland Security.
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game → make → Security
In 2003, the previously named Secretary’s Cup became the Secretaries’ Cup when the Coast Guard moved to the Department of Homeland Security, according to the cup’s website.
uncertain
Guard → name → website
This began a competition between the secretaries, with this year’s game being a showdown between Duffy and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
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game → begin → Duffy
“Watch the finest patriots from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy take on @SecMullinDHS’s U.S. Coast Guard Academy in the ultimate Maritime SHOWDOWN,” Duffy said on X.
Last year marked a historic moment for the game, as it was the first time a matchup was held at a venue other than the Coast Guard’s Cadet Memorial Field in New London, Connecticut, or the Merchant Marines’ Captain Tomb Field in Kings Point, New York, just east of New York City.
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matchup → watch → City
The 2025 game was played at Fenway Park in Boston.
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game → play → Boston
The Merchant Marines won in a nail-biting 39-38 victory over the Coast Guard.
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Marines → win → Guard
“This year the Coast Guard Academy proudly celebrates its 150th anniversary alongside our nation’s 250th,” Rear Adm. Greg Rothrock, the USCGA superintendent, said, according to a press release from the Coast Guard.
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Rothrock → celebrate → Guard
“Bringing this storied service academy rivalry to Audi Field in our Nation’s Capital provides an unparalleled stage to highlight the drive and determination of our cadet and midshipmen athletes—future leaders who stand ready to safeguard our homeland and defend our maritime interests around the globe.”
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who → bring → globe
“Audi Field is proud to host the 2026 Secretaries’ Cup and we are thrilled to continue to showcase the venue as a hub for major sporting events throughout the DMV,” Danita Johnson, D.C. United’s president of business operations, said in the release.
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Johnson → host → release
“As part of the nationwide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the Secretaries’ Cup offers a meaningful way to honor those who serve while creating a memorable experience for all attendees,” Johnson said.
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Johnson → offer → attendees
Attendees also have the opportunity to attend the event’s fan fest as a pregame celebration.
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Attendees → have → celebration
It runs from 10 a.m. to noon, during which fans can enjoy live entertainment, food trucks, lawn games, family-friendly activities, giveaways, and more right outside Gate A at Audi Field.
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fans → run → Field
