10 Best Sports Stadiums in New York
Where to Go in New York to See Sports and Games?
New York is one of the most famous cities in the world. While it’s best known for its landmark attractions like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and neon-drenched Times Square, it’s also home to a thriving sports scene and monumental stadiums. The Big Apple is where one goes when they want to see iconic American sports teams like the New York Yankees, the New York Mets, and the New York Knicks.
Some of the stadiums in New York are revered across the world thanks to the expansive sizes and historical value. Many have hosted some truly legendary moments in sports including epic home runs and astounding slam dunks.
What are the best sports stadiums in New York?
1. Madison Square Garden
Visit one of the world’s most famous arenas
Good for: Families, History, Photo
Madison Square Garden is famous around the world for its storied history and wide variety of sporting events like professional hockey, basketball, boxing, and wrestling matches. While the concept of the Garden dates back to the late 19th century, the stadium at its current location opened its doors in 1968.
When you visit Madison Square Garden, you’ll find a variety of events being held. Catch a basketball or ice hockey game (the stadium is home to the Knicks and the Rangers). The arena is in Midtown Manhattan, between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, directly above Pennsylvania Station. Read more
Location: 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10001, USA
Phone: +1 212-465-6000
Madison Square Garden
2. Yankee Stadium
Check out the house that Jeter built
Good for: Families, History, Photo
Yankee Stadium is a legendary sporting venue that’s home to the famous baseball team of the same name. This stadium is relatively young, opening in 2009 to replace the original, decades-old Yankee Stadium. This new model offers riveting tours where you can learn about its epic past as well as its 27-time World Series Champions!
At this mammoth venue, you’ll most likely catch baseball games but college football is held here occasionally, along with international soccer matches. See it for yourself by venturing out to The Bronx (its conveniently located near the Concourse subway line). Read more
Location: 1 E 161 St, Bronx, NY 10451, USA
Phone: +1 212-926-5337
Yankee Stadium
3. Barclays Center
Good-time vibes at Brooklyn’s best stadium
Good for: Families, Nightlife, Photo
Barclays Center is a stunning indoor multi-purpose stadium that’s home to the Brooklyn Nets basketball team. While NBA games are what the stadium is widely known for, you’ll also find college basketball contests held here, including early-season tournaments like the Legends Classic.
This stadium also hosts hockey games, as well as boxing, WWE, and mixed martial arts matches. You’ll find Barclays Center it in Brooklyn on the corner of Flatbush and Atlantic. The closest subway station is Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr.
Location: 620 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217, USA
Phone: +1 917-618-6100
Barclays Center
4. Citi Field
Discover the home of the Mets
Good for: Families, Nightlife, Photo
Citi Field is the home stadium of the iconic New York Mets baseball team and it features a museum dedicated to their talents. The Mets Hall of Fame is a popular attraction that lets you enjoy the stadium and its history, even if there isn’t a game on. There are also plenty of fabulous dining options available including Adam Richman’s Burger Hall, Lobster Shack, and Chiddy’s Cheesesteaks.
Other events held at this stadium include soccer matches, wrestling showdowns, and lacrosse games. Citi Field also hosts a concert series after every Mets season. It’s located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the characterful borough of Queens.
Location: 41 Seaver Way, Queens, NY 11368, USA
Phone: +1 718-507-8499
Citi Field
5. MetLife Stadium
Formiddable New Jersey football stadium
Good for: Families, Nightlife, Photo
MetLife Stadium is home of the New York Giants and New York Jets pro-football teams. The stadium is a joint venture, with each team owning it simultaneously. MetLife also doubles as a rock concert venue, with international artists like Ed Sheeran playing there to sold-out crowds.
In addition to football games, this $2 billion-dollar stadium hosts high-octane soccer and wrestling matches occasionally. Access to the stadium is easy from NYC, with numerous rail lines and bus routes leading directly to it. You’ll find it in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just west of the Hackensack River.
Location: 1 MetLife Stadium Dr, East Rutherford, NJ 07073, USA
Phone: +1 201-559-1500
MetLife Stadium
6. Sports Illustrated Arena
State-of-the-art soccer field
Good for: Families, Nightlife, Photo
Sports Illustrated Arena is a popular soccer stadium with a decent-sized capacity (it can accommodate up to 25,000 people). The stadium is known as both “The Fortress” and the “Cathedral of American Soccer”. It’s home to the New York Red Bulls, a Major League team.
This stadium is outfitted with a number of impressive amenities. For example, there’s a sensory room for visitors who are uncomfortable with loud noises and strong lights due to disability (it’s free to access too). You’ll also find 30 luxury suites and 1,000 premium seats. It’s located in Harrison, New Jersey (the closest train station is Newark Penn).
Location: 600 Cape May St, Harrison, NJ 07029, USA
Phone: +1 877-727-6223
Sports Illustrated Arena
7. The Armory
See track-and-field excellence
Good for: Photo, Unusual
The Armory is a historic building and track-and-field center that’s one of the few World Athletics-certified indoor facilities in the country. Its Nike center features a Mondo track with six lanes, spanning 200 meters. You’ll also find sandpits and a pole-vault pit.
Different kinds of events are held here including high school, college, and professional-level events. Some of the most famous include the NYRR Millrose Games and the New Balance Nationals Indoor. You’ll find The Armory in Manhattan on the west side of the Washington Heights neighborhood.
Location: 216 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY 10032, USA
The Armory
8. USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
Home of the illustrious US Open
Good for: Luxury, Photo, Unusual
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is an impressive stadium complex where you can watch tennis matches on 34 courts. The facility has 22 courts, while the adjoining park is home to 12. There are technically three stadiums located within the complex including Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium, and the Grandstand.
Unlike other stadiums in the area, USTA Billie Jean King is predominantly used for tennis, though it hosts the odd basketball game as well. The stadium boasts some special features including a retractable roof. You’ll find it in Queens in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Location: Flushing Meadow - Corona Park, Flushing, NY 11368, USA
Phone: +1 718-760-6200
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
9. Icahn Stadium
Track and field record-breaker
Good for: Families, History, Unusual
Icahn Stadium is a track-and-field venue that hosts not only track and field events, but lacrosse and soccer matches as well. Located on the site of the former Downing Stadium, it has a seating capacity of 5,000 and utilizes high-quality FieldTurf surfaces.
Several historic records have been set here. In 2008, the record for the 100-meter was set by Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. Additionally, David Rudisha set the U.S. 800-meter record here in 2012. You can check it all out for yourself by visiting Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island between the Harlem River and the East River.
Location: Randalls Island, 10 Central Rd, New York, NY 10035, United States
Phone: +1 212-860-1899
Icahn Stadium
10. Staten Island University Hospital Community Park
Visit the home of the FerryHawks
Good for: Adventure, Families, Nightlife
SIUH Community Park is home of the Staten Island FerryHawks baseball team. The stadium almost solely hosts baseball games, with the occasional small-time wrestling match taking place here. The FerryHawks are a part of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and the stadium boasts a seating capacity of 7,171, making it ideal for travelers looking for a more intimate and relaxed sporting experience.
SIUH is notably small compared to several other venues in town but you’ll still find plenty of luxury suites available if you want to be pampered during the game. It’s located on the northeastern tip of Staten Island. Take the free Staten Island Ferry from the Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan.
Location: 75 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301, USA
Phone: +1 718-720-9000
Staten Island University Hospital Community Park
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