Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71
Glenn Warner Soccer Facility Cooper Road Annapolis, MD 21402
Year Opened: 2002
Capacity: 2,500
Soccer on Severn Shores
The Glenn Warner Soccer Facility is located on the campus of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and is home to the Navy Midshipmen men's and women's soccer teams. Opened in 2002, the stadium is located on the bank of the Severn River near its confluence with Chesapeake Bay. The stadium seats about 2,500 fans and is named after longtime Navy soccer coach Glenn Warner.
Food & Beverage 2
There is one small concession stand at Glenn Warner Soccer Facility, located at a window near the restroom and marketing table. The menu is limited but affordable Bottled Pepsi products and water cost $4, with hot cocoa and coffee going for $3 on cold days late in the season. Hot dogs, pretzels, nachos, and popcorn are all $4, while candy is $2 and chips and flavored ice cups are a dollar each.
The menu here is quite limited, so it is best to eat before or after the game.
Atmosphere 5
Glenn Warner Soccer Facility's location on the grounds of the US Naval Academy and the shores of the Severn River makes for one of the most picturesque settings in all of college soccer. The stands offer gorgeous views of boats going by on the river, everything from small motorboats to sailboats to double-decker tourist boats and more.
Everything about this maritime setting reminds you of where you are, from the river views to the masts of sailboats in the boat yard sticking up above the locker room roof and swaying in the wind, to the sound of "Anchors Aweigh" playing over the PA system at halftime and the end of the game. Before the game, you may hear a recording of the Naval Academy Glee Club performing the national anthem, and while it isn't quite the experience it would be if they were there in person, it still sends chills down your spine.
All seats at the facility are bleachers along one sideline - there is no room on the other side since that's where the river is. Wherever you sit, you will have a great view of the field and the river beyond. Some seats are in the shade of the press box during a day game, so this can be a nice benefit on those hot days early in the season. Many fans also stand along the fence separating the walking path from the field.
There are often promotions before the game and at halftime - anything from youth soccer players getting to play on the field to the Navy parachute team entering the stadium from above before the game. Of course, there are no breaks in the action during the game for promos, because soccer is constant action.
A small scoreboard in the far right corner shows the score and clock, as well as shots on goal and corner, kicks for each team. Oddly enough, it also has a place for time remaining on penalties, even though soccer does not use timed penalties, and the outdoor sports Navy sponsors that do - rugby and lacrosse - play elsewhere.
Neighborhood 5
Annapolis is a small city of about 40,000 people, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. There’s a shopping center located across from the football stadium where you will likely park (more on that later.) It has a few basic restaurants, but you can find far better food a short drive away.
Annapolis is located on the Chesapeake Bay, there are plenty of great seafood restaurants nearby, including Buddy’s Crabs & Ribs, The Boatyard Bar & Grill, and the Sailor Oyster Bar, all located within a couple of miles of the stadium. If you want an authentic sweet treat after your meal, The Boatyard sells the official state dessert of Maryland, Smith Island Cake, which is made fresh on Smith Island daily and brought up by ferry.
The real attraction, though, is the U.S. Naval Academy itself. The grounds are beautiful, and there’s so much history, so be sure to take a tour while you’re in town. Keep in mind the stringent access requirements that will be discussed in that section, however.
Fans 4
Navy draws pretty well for college soccer, especially outside the powerhouse programs, with hundreds of fans in the stadium for a typical home game. The Midshipmen attend in good numbers despite their many responsibilities - by our estimate, there were about a hundred of them at the game we were at, though not all of them were there the whole time. The fans can be passionate at times, especially the midshipmen, but are usually not so rowdy.
Unlike many college soccer venues, this is not just a friends and family crowd. Alumni, locals, youth soccer players, and more, all show up to cheer on the Mids. While the crowd here may be dwarfed by that at a professional game, it is on the high end for college soccer, especially a college soccer program like Navy which is not usually regarded as an elite team.
Access 2
Getting to the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility is quite complicated. Although Annapolis is conveniently located off US 50/US 301, getting onto the Academy grounds is another story. Vehicular access is prohibited to anyone without the appropriate DOD permit. Instead, you have two options.
The most convenient one is to park at the football stadium (punch 550 Taylor Avenue into your GPS) and take the shuttle bus to the stadium. Parking here will cost between $10 and $20 via the Parkmobile app, although there is no cost to ride the shuttle itself.
There was a sign saying to pay the attendant, but no attendant was on duty when we went and we were told to pay via the app. Note that on days Navy has a home football game, parking is instead at the Navy Health Clinic. Check the Navy athletic website to confirm. There is no charge to park here on days when this is the location. The shuttle runs every 20 minutes or so, so be sure to allot extra time.
Alternatively, fans can park in downtown Annapolis in one of multiple garages (some of which are free on weekends) and walk onto Academy grounds and to the Field House. Regardless of how you access the Academy, anyone over the age of 18 will need to show a photo ID and anyone under 18 will need to either have one or be accompanied by someone who does. Effective May 7, 2025, all photo IDs will need to be REAL ID compliant.
This requirement is not in effect yet as of the time of writing in the fall of 2024, so any state driver's license or other photo ID should be fine as long as it does not explicitly say "Not For Federal Use" or similar. (This last part will only apply to a very small number of IDs.) If you are visiting from out of the country, you will need to provide a valid passport - Canadian and other foreign driver's licenses are not accepted.
Once you get to the soccer stadium, you will walk down the path, past the concession stand and marketing table, to the bleachers. Restrooms are located near the concession stand and are sufficient for the crowds that typically visit. Be sure to leave in time to catch the shuttle after the game, if that is how you came, or you may be waiting 20 minutes for it to return. The shuttle stops one hour after the game ends unless there is another event going on that day.
Return on Investment 4
Admission to Navy soccer games is free, and concessions are affordable if limited. However, the high cost of parking for most games takes this score down a bit.
Extras 4
One bonus star here for the sweeping views of the Severn River and the passing boats and ships upon it, quite possibly the best view in college soccer.
Look for the cornhole board near the marketing table - it is always a popular play area for families.
The Navy soccer program puts on various gameday promotions, ranging from merchandise giveaways to free food to a pregame performance by the Navy Parachute Team. You do not always see this level of fan engagement in college soccer.
If attending an evening game, be sure to take in the Evening Colors Ceremony, which occurs every day at sunset at the Naval Academy, like it does on every United States naval base or ship at sea anywhere around the world.
Approximately five minutes before sunset, a bugle will play "First Call" to alert everyone to what is coming. This will be heard throughout the academy grounds. At sunset itself, the bugle plays "Retreat" as everyone in attendance stops what they are doing, stands, and faces the flag. Midshipmen and other military personnel salute, while civilians place their right hand over their hearts.
The ensign is lowered from the flagpole over the grounds (though this is not visible from the stadium), and when that is finished, everyone returns to watching the game. The Evening Colors is the traditional symbol of the end of the day for military personnel.
Final Thoughts
It is hard to imagine a more gorgeous setting for college soccer than the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility. With a strong fan base and a wonderful maritime setting, a Navy soccer game is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening in the late summer or early fall.
Comments