A treasured spring tradition returns as St. John’s College and the U.S. Naval Academy prepare to face off in the 41st Annapolis Cup, presented by PNC, on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
First held in 1983, the annual croquet match has become a spring fixture in Annapolis. According to campus lore, the rivalry began in 1982 when a St. John’s freshman suggested croquet as a sport the Midshipmen might not dominate. That challenge laid the groundwork for what has become one of the most anticipated social and sporting events in Annapolis.
The Johnnies currently lead the series with a 32-8 advantage. Last year, St. John’s marked the 40th anniversary with a celebratory alumni tent, dedicated online features and a commemorative film, capping the event with another victory. Following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the match resumed in 2022 with the Naval Academy as host. The event returned to the St. John’s campus in 2023 and will be held there again this year.
Each side fields 12 players in two-person teams playing nine-wicket croquet, a game in which points are earned by advancing balls through a series of wickets and stakes arranged in a double-diamond formation. The first team to accumulate 14 wicket points and two stake points for each ball wins. The event typically draws around 4,000 attendees, including students, alumni, locals and visitors.
Tradition and Style on Full Display
The Annapolis Cup is renowned not only for its competitive spirit but also for its sartorial flair. Midshipmen arrive in whites with a team tie, while the St. John’s team surprises spectators with new themed outfits each year — past ensembles have included tuxedos, kilts, Viking gear and even mock Navy uniforms.
Opening ceremonies set the tone for the day, featuring performances by the St. John’s Freshman Chorus and the Naval Academy’s Trident Brass band. The ceremonial first ball signals the start of play, and plebes in formal mess dress serve refreshments, further adding to the pageantry.
Pre-Match Customs and Collegiate Competition
Both schools warm up for the big day by scrimmaging with the Ginger Cove Croquet Team, a tradition with the local retirement community that dates back to 1992. On the eve of the match, St. John’s players share a meal with their Navy counterparts at the Academy’s mess hall, where the Johnnies' "Imperial Wicket" issues the formal challenge.
Both institutions also compete annually in the USCA Collegiate National Championships, reinforcing their status as elite collegiate croquet programs.
St. John’s College
With campuses in Annapolis, Maryland, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, St. John’s College is a distinguished liberal arts institution offering an interdisciplinary education grounded in the Great Books. Students engage with 3,000 years of thought through discussion-based classes covering philosophy, literature, science, mathematics and more. The college is recognized for its rigorous academics and has been lauded as a model for forward-thinking higher education.
US Naval Academy
Established in 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis trains more than 4,400 future officers for service in the Navy and Marine Corps. Midshipmen pursue academic and military instruction across disciplines, including engineering, navigation, leadership, and ethics. The Academy consistently ranks among the top undergraduate institutions in the nation.
Learn more about the Annapolis Cup tradition at ssjc.edu/croquet.