MetLife Stadium facts for kids
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The Meadowlands
The New Meadowlands The Home of the New York Giants and New York Jets New Giants Stadium Jetlife Stadium |
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Aerial view
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 MetLife Stadium
Location in New York City
MetLife Stadium
Location in New Jersey
MetLife Stadium
Location in the United States
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| Former names | New Meadowlands Stadium (2010–2011) New York/New Jersey Stadium (2026 FIFA World Cup) |
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| Address | 1 MetLife Stadium Drive |
| Location | East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States |
| Coordinates | 40°48′48.7″N 74°4′27.7″W / 40.813528°N 74.074361°W |
| Public transit |   Meadowlands Meadowlands Rail Line
 Coach USA: 351 |
| Owner | New Meadowlands Stadium Company, LLC |
| Capacity | 82,500 |
| Record attendance | Any event: 93,000 (12th Siyum HaShas, August 1, 2012) Concert: 89,106 (Ed Sheeran +-=÷x Tour, June 11, 2023) American football: 83,367 (New York Jets @ New York Giants, October 29, 2023) College football: 82,285 (122nd Army Navy Game, December 11, 2021) Soccer: 82,566 (Manchester United vs. West Ham United, July 26, 2025) |
| Surface | UBU Speed S5-M (2010–2022) FieldTurf Core HD (2023–present) |
| Screens | Four 30 ft × 118 ft (9.1 m × 36.0 m) big-screen monitors One 360 degree ribbon board display |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | September 5, 2007 |
| Built | 2008–2010 |
| Opened | April 10, 2010 |
| Construction cost | $1.6 billion ($2.15 billion in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | 360 Architecture EwingCole Rockwell Group Bruce Mau Design, Inc. |
| Project manager | Hammes Company Sports Development |
| Structural engineer | Thornton Tomasetti |
| General contractor | Skanska |
| Main contractors | Structal–Heavy Steel Construction, a division of Canam Group |
| Tenants | |
| New York Giants (NFL) (2010–present) New York Jets (NFL) (2010–present) New York Guardians (XFL) (2020) |
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MetLife Stadium is a huge sports and event venue located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. It is only about 5 miles (8 km) west of New York City. The stadium opened in 2010 and took the place of the older Giants Stadium. It is the home field for two professional football teams, the New York Giants and the New York Jets, both part of the National Football League (NFL).
MetLife Stadium is set to host the final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. When it was finished, it cost about $1.6 billion, making it the most expensive stadium built in the U.S. at that time. It is one of only two NFL stadiums shared by two teams; the other is SoFi Stadium in California. With over 82,000 seats, it is the largest stadium in New Jersey and the biggest venue in the NFL.
Contents
Why Was MetLife Stadium Built?
As Giants Stadium got older, it was one of the oldest stadiums in the NFL. The Jets, who shared the stadium with the Giants, wanted to build their own stadium in Manhattan. This new stadium was planned to be the main venue for New York City's bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics.
However, the plan for the Jets' stadium needed a lot of public money and faced opposition. So, in 2005, the project stopped. After that, the Giants and Jets decided to work together. They formed a partnership to build a brand-new stadium where both teams would be equal owners.
How Was MetLife Stadium Designed?
The architects had a challenge: they needed to design a stadium that felt neutral but still showed the unique styles of both the Giants and the Jets. The Giants liked a classic look with exposed steel framework and stone. The Jets wanted something modern and sleek, with metal and glass.
To combine these ideas, the designers got inspiration from the tall skyscrapers in Manhattan. The bottom part of the stadium looks like it's made of limestone. The rest of the stadium has an outer layer of aluminum panels and glass. Inside, special lights can change colors to match the team playing: blue for the Giants and green for the Jets. This cool idea came from the Allianz Arena in Germany.
Unlike the old Giants Stadium, MetLife Stadium can be quickly changed for either the Giants or the Jets in just a few hours. The stadium's design also makes sure that fans in the upper decks have clear views without anything blocking their sight.
Field Features and Upgrades
The seats closest to the field are only about 46 feet (14 meters) from the sideline, which is the shortest distance in any NFL stadium. To change the field's look, two teams of four people work for about 18 hours. They use forklifts to remove 40 sections of the field that show each team's end zone logos.
In 2023, the stadium installed a new type of artificial grass called the FieldTurf Core System. This new surface is designed to be stronger and help reduce player injuries.
No Roof and Giant Screens
MetLife Stadium does not have a roof. Plans to add one failed because of disagreements over funding. This means the stadium cannot host indoor events like the Final Four basketball tournament.
There are ten giant HD-ready screens, called pylons, at the stadium's entrances. These pylons are about 54 feet (16 meters) tall and 20 feet (6 meters) wide. They show videos of the team that is playing. Inside, there are four large HD video screens, each about 30 feet (9 meters) by 116 feet (35 meters), hanging from the corners of the upper deck.
Seating and Locker Rooms
The stadium has seats for 82,500 people. This includes 10,005 club seats and about 218 fancy private suites. This makes it the largest NFL stadium by total seating.
MetLife Stadium has four locker rooms. The Giants and Jets each have their own, and there are two for visiting teams. When the Giants and Jets play each other, they each use their own locker room plus one of the visitor rooms.
Solar Power and Recent Renovations
In 2012, a "Solar Ring" was added to the top edge of the stadium. It has 1,350 solar panels that light up with LED lights. These lights can show the Giants' blue, the Jets' green, or other colors for different events. The solar panels create much more electricity than the lights need, and the extra power can be used by the stadium or sent back to the main power grid.
In January 2024, work began to make the playing field bigger. This was needed to meet FIFA rules for hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This project is happening in two stages to avoid disrupting regular stadium use. The first stage finished in May 2024, and the second stage will be completed in May 2025. This involves replacing some permanent seats with a new, flexible seating system.
Stadium Agreements
Who Owns the Stadium?
The Giants and Jets created a company called New Meadowlands Stadium Company, LLC. They each own half of this company, which built and runs the stadium. The teams lease the land from the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) for 25 years, with options to extend it for a very long time.
Naming Rights: MetLife Stadium
Allianz, an insurance company from Germany, was interested in buying the naming rights for the stadium. However, this idea caused protests from the Jewish community due to Allianz's past connections to Nazi Germany during World War II. No agreement was reached.
On August 23, 2011, MetLife, an insurance company based in New York City, signed a 25-year deal to name the stadium. That's how it became MetLife Stadium.
Being Environmentally Friendly
In 2009, the stadium company and the EPA agreed to make MetLife Stadium environmentally friendly. This included using recycled materials for construction, saving water and energy, and improving waste management. For example, the stadium used about 40,000 tons of recycled steel and recycled 20,000 tons of steel from the old Giants Stadium. They also installed seats made from recycled plastic and metal.
The goal was to reduce air pollution and save a lot of carbon dioxide emissions. The agreement also encouraged public transportation for fans and using compostable plates and cups at concession stands.
Getting to MetLife Stadium
You can reach MetLife Stadium by car using Exit 16W on the New Jersey Turnpike. It's also close to Route 3 and Route 120.
There are also bus services like the Coach USA 351 Meadowlands Express Bus from the Port Authority Bus Terminal. New Jersey Transit offers the 353 Bus for some events, connecting to Secaucus Junction.
The Meadowlands Rail Line runs on event days, connecting Meadowlands station to Hoboken Terminal through Secaucus Junction. From Secaucus, you can connect to other train stations like Pennsylvania Station (New York City). This train line opened in 2009.
To keep everyone safe, MetLife Stadium has a clear bag policy. Only clear bags (no larger than 12”x6”x12”) and small clutches (4.5”x6.5”) are allowed. Exceptions are made for medical items after they are checked.
Awards and Recognition
- In 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) called MetLife Stadium the "Greenest Stadium" in the NFL.
- In July 2017, the Stadium Business Summit named MetLife Stadium "Venue of the Year." This award goes to the best stadium, arena, or sports venue in the world for its great performance over a year.
Memorable Events at MetLife Stadium
Firsts and Special Moments
- The very first event at the stadium was a lacrosse game called the Big City Classic on April 10, 2010.
- On September 12, 2010, the New York Giants played the first NFL regular season game there, winning 31–18.
- The New York Jets played their first game at the stadium the next day, September 13, 2010, on Monday Night Football.
- On December 19, 2010, the stadium saw the famous Miracle at the New Meadowlands when the Philadelphia Eagles made an amazing comeback against the Giants.
- On September 11, 2011, a special ceremony honored the victims of the September 11 attacks before a Jets game.
- MetLife Stadium hosted its first NFL playoff game on January 8, 2012, where the Giants won against the Atlanta Falcons.
- On November 23, 2014, Odell Beckham Jr. of the Giants made an incredible one-handed touchdown catch that many people call the best catch ever.
- On February 9, 2020, the New York Guardians of the XFL played their first game at the stadium.
Super Bowl XLVIII
On May 25, 2010, MetLife Stadium was chosen to host Super Bowl XLVIII. This was a big deal because it was the first time a Super Bowl was played in the New York metropolitan area and the first time a non-domed stadium in a cold-weather city hosted it. Usually, Super Bowls are held in warm places or indoor stadiums.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell made an exception because it was a unique chance to celebrate the new stadium and the history of the NFL in the New York area. The game was played on February 2, 2014. The temperature was 49°F (9°C), making it one of the colder Super Bowls. The Seattle Seahawks won their first Super Bowl, beating the Denver Broncos 43–8.
WWE Events
MetLife Stadium has hosted WrestleMania, a huge professional wrestling event by WWE, twice.
- WrestleMania 29 was held on April 7, 2013, with over 80,000 fans. It was one of the most attended and highest-earning WWE events ever.
- WrestleMania 35 took place on April 7, 2019, with even more fans, over 82,000, and made more money than WrestleMania 29.
- The stadium also hosted the first-ever two-night SummerSlam on August 2–3, 2025.
Soccer Matches
MetLife Stadium is also designed for soccer. It has special retractable seats in the corners of the field level to make a FIFA-approved soccer field. This allows the stadium to host many big international matches.
- The first international soccer match was between Mexico and Ecuador on May 7, 2010.
- It hosted the final of the Copa América Centenario on June 26, 2016, where Chile beat Argentina in a penalty shootout.
- The stadium hosted three matches during the 2024 Copa América in June and July 2024, including a semi-final.
- MetLife Stadium was one of the venues for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in June and July 2025, including the final match.
- It will host eight matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the final on July 19, 2026. For this event, the stadium will temporarily be called "New York/New Jersey Stadium."
College Football Games
- On October 16, 2010, Rutgers played Army in the first college football game at the stadium.
- Syracuse University has played some of its home games here, calling them New York's College Classic.
- On November 16, 2019, MetLife Stadium hosted the 61st Cortaca Jug rivalry game, setting a record for the most-attended Division III football game with over 45,000 fans.
- On December 11, 2021, the stadium hosted the 122nd Army-Navy Game, a historic matchup.
Outdoor Ice Hockey
- In February 2024, MetLife Stadium hosted two outdoor hockey games as part of the 2024 NHL Stadium Series.
- The New Jersey Devils played the Philadelphia Flyers on February 17, 2024, winning 6–3.
- The New York Rangers defeated the New York Islanders 6–5 in overtime on February 18, 2024. This game had nearly 80,000 fans, making it one of the largest attendances in NHL history. These were the first outdoor NHL games ever played in New Jersey.
Concerts and Other Events
MetLife Stadium has hosted many famous musicians and bands.
- Artists like Bon Jovi, U2, Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, One Direction, Eminem, Rihanna, Coldplay, Guns N' Roses, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Metallica, Ed Sheeran, TWICE, Blackpink, Karol G, and The Rolling Stones have all performed here.
- Many of these concerts have broken attendance and revenue records for the stadium. For example, Taylor Swift was the first female artist to sell out three shows in a row twice. Beyoncé holds the record for the most concerts by a single artist (12 shows) and the highest-grossing concert tour at the stadium. Ed Sheeran broke the concert attendance record with over 89,000 fans at his show on June 11, 2023. TWICE and Blackpink were the first Korean female acts to headline and sell out shows at MetLife Stadium.
Other events include:
- The Siyum HaShas, a large Jewish celebration, which drew 93,000 people in 2012, the highest capacity crowd in the stadium's history. It also hosted the 13th Siyum HaShas in 2020 and will host the 14th in 2027.
- The annual Summer Jam music festival.
- The Electric Daisy Carnival, an electronic music festival.
- Monster Jam truck shows.
- The International Indian Film Academy Awards (Bollywood's Oscars) in 2017.
NFL Team Attendance
MetLife Stadium is home to two NFL teams, the New York Giants and the New York Jets. Both teams consistently have high attendance numbers for their home games. In 2023, they were among the NFL teams with the highest average home attendance.
- In 2024, the Giants had an average attendance of 78,470 for 9 home games.
- In 2024, the Jets had an average attendance of 78,789 for 7 home games.
- In 2023, the Giants averaged 79,307 fans over 8 home games.
- In 2023, the Jets averaged 77,890 fans over 9 home games.
- During the 2020 season, both teams had an attendance of 0 due to the global pandemic.
See also
In Spanish: MetLife Stadium para niños
