Summary (tl;dr)

The highly anticipated 141st Harvard-Yale football game, known as "The Game," concluded today with No. 25 Yale upsetting No. 10 Harvard 45-28 at the Yale Bowl, securing the Ivy League title and its first automatic bid to the FCS playoffs.

Essential Background

"The Game" is one of American college football's oldest and most storied rivalries, dating back to 1875. It is the third most-played NCAA Division I football rivalry and traditionally serves as the final contest of the year for both teams, often determining the Ivy League championship. Historically, the Ivy League did not participate in postseason football, but 2025 marks the first year the league's champion earned an automatic berth into the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs.

The Full Story

On Saturday, November 22, 2025, the 141st edition of The Game took place at the Yale Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut, attracting a crowd of 52,497 spectators. Yale, ranked 25th nationally with a 7-2 record (5-1 Ivy), delivered a stunning 45-28 defeat to previously undefeated No. 10 Harvard (9-0 overall, 6-0 Ivy). This victory not only halted Harvard's perfect season but also earned Yale its 19th Ivy League title and the conference's inaugural automatic bid to the FCS playoffs. Harvard is also expected to receive an at-large bid to the 24-team playoffs. Yale's senior running back Josh Pitsenberger was a key player, scoring multiple touchdowns.

Why It Matters

This year's Harvard-Yale Game carried exceptional significance due to the Ivy League's new policy allowing participation in the FCS playoffs for the first time since 1945. The outcome directly impacted the Ivy League championship and playoff berths, making the historic rivalry even more high-stakes for both teams, their alumni, and fans. The game represents the culmination of the Ivy League football season and serves as a major cultural event for both universities.

Geographic Location

• Yale Bowl, New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut, United States (141st Harvard-Yale Game played)