BOSTON - Fenway Park Events today announced that the 142nd edition of 'The Game,' the annual storied football matchup between Harvard and Yale, will return to Fenway Park on Saturday, November 21, 2026. The football rivalry between Harvard's Crimson and Yale's Bulldogs is among the most revered on the American athletic scene for its combination of passion and purity to the sport, as it established the template for American college football. 

"Fenway Park was built for moments that stand the test of time, and few traditions in American sports carry the weight and history of Harvard-Yale," said Sam Kennedy, President & CEO, Boston Red Sox. "To be able to host these two institutions in 2026 will be another proud moment for our ballpark, and we can't wait to see generations of alumni, students, and fans come together to celebrate this historic matchup."

"Playing The Game at Fenway Park is an extraordinary opportunity for our football team and our community," said Erin McDermott, The John D. Nichols '53 Family Director of Athletics. "Competing in such a historic Boston sports venue adds new energy and meaning to one of the greatest rivalries in college athletics. This setting celebrates both tradition and innovation, and we're thrilled that the Harvard community will share in this remarkable experience, made possible through the leadership at Fenway Park."

First played on November 13, 1875, the annual clash between Harvard's Crimson and Yale's Bulldogs is among the most historic rivalries in American athletics. The inaugural meeting, won by Harvard 4–0, pre-dated the modern football scoring system and more closely resembled rugby. Since then, the rivalry has grown into one of the defining fixtures of college football, drawing generations of students, alumni, and fans.

As of the conclusion of the 2024 season, Harvard and Yale have met 140 times, with Yale leading the series 71–61–8. Among Division I rivalries, Harvard-Yale ranks as the third most-played, trailing only Lafayette-Lehigh and Yale-Princeton. 

Fenway Park has a long history with football dating back to the early 1900s, including serving as the home of the Boston Patriots from 1963 to 1968. In recent years, the ballpark has reestablished itself as a football venue, hosting marquee college matchups such as the Notre Dame–Boston College Shamrock Series in 2015, the Fenway Gridiron Series in 2017, and Harvard–Yale in 2018. Looking ahead, Fenway Park will welcome the Secretaries' Cup on November 15, 2025, and the Georgetown–Holy Cross game on November 22, 2025. Fenway Park also annually hosts high school Thanksgiving football games as well as the Wasabi Fenway Bowl, a Division I college football bowl game that will celebrate its fourth edition on December 27, 2025.

Additional information, including kickoff time and ticketing, will be available in 2026. Fans can visit redsox.com/thegame for further updates.