Sports Illustrated Stadium facts for kids
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The Fortress
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Interior view of Sports Illustrated Stadium, 2010
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 Sports Illustrated Stadium
Location in New York City
Sports Illustrated Stadium
Location in New Jersey
Sports Illustrated Stadium
Location in the United States
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| Former names | Red Bull Park (2006–08) (prior to opening) Red Bull Arena (2008–2024) |
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| Address | 600 Cape May Street |
| Location | Harrison, New Jersey |
| Coordinates | 40°44′12″N 74°9′1″W / 40.73667°N 74.15028°W |
| Public transit |   PATH: Harrison
NWK–WTC
  NJT Bus: 40 |
| Owner | Hudson County Improvement Authority |
| Operator | Red Bull GmbH |
| Capacity | 25,000 |
| Field size | 120 yd × 75 yd (110 m × 69 m) |
| Surface | Kentucky Bluegrass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | September 19, 2006 |
| Opened | March 20, 2010 |
| Construction cost | $200 million |
| Architect | Rossetti Architects |
| Structural engineer | Paulus, Sokolowski & Sartor, LLC. |
| Services engineer | URS Corporation |
| General contractor | Hunter Roberts Construction Group |
| Tenants | |
| New York Red Bulls (MLS) (2010–present) Gotham FC (NWSL) (2020–present) New York City FC (MLS) (2020–present, part-time) New York Red Bulls II (MLSNP) (2015–2016, 2018, 2020) |
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Sports Illustrated Stadium is a cool place in Harrison, New Jersey, where exciting soccer games happen. It's the home field for two professional teams: the New York Red Bulls (men's soccer) and Gotham FC (women's soccer).
This stadium opened in 2010 and was known as Red Bull Arena for many years. It has a special see-through roof and sits right by the water. It's about 7 miles (12 km) from Lower Manhattan, New York City. With room for 25,000 fans, it's one of the biggest soccer-specific stadiums in the United States.
In December 2024, the stadium got its new name, Sports Illustrated Stadium. This happened because of a new agreement with Sports Illustrated Tickets.
Contents
Building a Home for Soccer
Why Harrison Was Chosen
The idea for a special soccer stadium in the New York Metropolitan area started way back in 2000. Leaders from the MetroStars (now the New York Red Bulls) worked hard to find the perfect spot.
In 2004, they announced that Harrison, New Jersey, would be the new home. Harrison was picked because it's easy to get to by public transport and highways. It's also close to New York City and has a long history of loving soccer. Many famous soccer teams played in the area in the past.
Delays and a New Owner
Building a big stadium takes a lot of planning. There were some delays because of talks with the state of New Jersey and needing to clean up the land.
Groundbreaking finally happened in September 2006. Then, in 2007, a company called Red Bull GmbH bought the MetroStars team. They changed the team's name to the New York Red Bulls. Red Bull also bought a share of the stadium project.
Because of these changes and new ideas for the stadium, the opening was pushed back. It was first planned for 2007, then 2008, then 2009, and finally opened in 2010.
Red Bull's Influence on Design
When Red Bull bought the team, they also took over the stadium project. They had different ideas for the stadium's design than the original plans. For example, Red Bull decided not to include a stage for concerts, which was part of the first design.
The new design was created by Rossetti architects. A company called Hunter Roberts Construction Group built the stadium. The special roof was made and put in place by Birdair.
Cool Features of the Stadium
The Unique Roof and Seating
Sports Illustrated Stadium has a cool, curved roof made of a special fabric. This roof stretches far out, covering all 25,000 seats. Part of the roof is see-through, letting in natural light.
The roof is also designed to make the stadium sound amazing! It helps hold and amplify the crowd's cheers, making games feel even more exciting. Big, clear video screens hang from the roof at both ends of the field, showing replays and scores.
The seats are like those in European soccer stadiums, close to the field for great views. They are angled at 33 degrees so everyone can see the action clearly. There are also fancy luxury suites and premium seats.
The South Ward: Home of the Fans
Sections 133, 101, and 102 are known as the South Ward. This is where the most passionate home fans gather! It has room for 1,500 supporters.
There used to be a special "Red Seat" here. It marked the first goal ever scored at the stadium by player Joel Lindpere. Later, it was changed to honor a fan named Mike Vallo.
Before the 2020 season, the South Ward was updated with a "safe standing" system. This means fans can stand safely with rails, but there are also seats that can fold down for other events. This was one of the first stadiums in North America to have this feature.
Honoring Legends and Making Noise
On the west side of the stadium, you can see the retired jersey number "99" for star player Bradley Wright-Phillips. This is a big honor! You'll also see banners celebrating the Red Bulls' championship wins. In 2024, a banner was added for Gotham FC's 2023 NWSL Championship.
The lower part of the stadium is made of concrete, but the upper part uses galvanized metal. This metal helps fans make more noise by stomping their feet, adding to the game-day atmosphere!
A Special Room for Everyone
In 2017, the Red Bulls opened the first permanent sensory room in MLS. This room is a quiet, calming space for people and families affected by autism. It has soft lighting, gentle colors, and special toys to help guests feel comfortable during games.
In 2025, this room was updated and renamed the "Altec Lansing Sensory Room." It now includes special noise-canceling headphones for guests who need them.
Recent Upgrades
The stadium has seen many improvements over the years. In 2022, the premium areas were renovated, adding new lounges and a gaming area. In 2023, a new outdoor event space called "CrossBar" opened for pre-game fun.
Before the 2024 season, the stadium got new, colorful LED lights that can change for exciting game moments. A new LED ribbon board was also added around the upper seats. In 2025, a new premium indoor-outdoor space called "Club SI" was created behind the home team's bench.
How the Stadium Was Built
Construction on the stadium, then called Red Bull Park, began in January 2008. It was built on the site of an old factory. Thousands of strong poles were driven into the ground to support the new building.
Big steel beams started going up in August 2008. By March 2009, the stadium was more than halfway finished. The last main beam for the roof was put in place in April 2009. The first part of the roof was completed in August 2009.
The Name Change
When Red Bull bought the MetroStars in 2006, they also got the rights to name the stadium. That's why it was called Red Bull Arena for so long.
However, in December 2024, the Red Bulls announced a new 13-year deal. The stadium's name officially changed to Sports Illustrated Stadium. This new name comes from Sports Illustrated Tickets, a company that uses the famous sports magazine's brand.
Exciting Events at the Stadium
Soccer Matches
The stadium officially opened on March 20, 2010, with a friendly match where the Red Bulls played against a Brazilian team, Santos FC. The Red Bulls won 3-1!
The first official MLS game was on March 27, 2010, against the Chicago Fire. The Red Bulls won 1-0, and Joel Lindpere scored the first-ever goal at the stadium.
Many international soccer games have been played here, too.
- In 2011, the stadium hosted games for the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, a big tournament for national teams.
- The 2011 MLS All-Star Game was held here, with the MLS All-Stars playing against famous English club Manchester United.
- In 2013, Abby Wambach of the United States women's national soccer team scored four goals in a game here, breaking the record for most international goals ever!
- The Red Bulls won their first-ever Supporters' Shield championship at home in 2013.
- Famous European clubs like Arsenal F.C., Chelsea F.C., S.L. Benfica, Tottenham Hotspur, A.S. Roma, Juventus FC, Fiorentina, FC Barcelona, Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle United, RB Leipzig, and Aston Villa F.C. have all played friendly matches at the stadium.
- The United States men's national soccer team has played World Cup Qualifier matches here.
- In 2019, Gotham FC started playing some of their home games here, and by 2020, it became their main home field.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, other MLS teams like CF Montréal and New York City FC used the stadium for their home games due to travel rules and scheduling issues.
- In 2024, the United States women's national soccer team played an international friendly here before the 2024 Summer Olympics. They also honored the 1999 World Cup-winning team.
- In May 2025, the Red Bulls had their biggest home win ever, beating the LA Galaxy 7-0!
- For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Sports Illustrated Stadium will be a training ground for teams playing at nearby MetLife Stadium.
Other Sports and Fun Events
The stadium isn't just for soccer!
- Rugby: It has hosted international rugby games, including the 2010 Churchill Cup finals and a game between the USA and Ireland. In 2022, it hosted the 2022 Major League Rugby final.
- Lacrosse: In 2019, the Premier Lacrosse League held several matches here, drawing large crowds.
- American Football: In September 2023, the stadium hosted its first American football game, the "Brick City HBCU Kickoff Classic."
- Concerts: The stadium has hosted concerts, with the band Dispatch performing the first one in 2011.
- Community Events: It has been used for important community events, like "Sleep Outs" to help homeless youth, and even a voting site for Peruvian Americans.
- Auto Shows: Car shows like the Allstar Fitment and EuroKult Thanks-4-Giving Car Meet have taken place here.
Awards and Recognition
Sports Illustrated Stadium has won several awards:
- In 2010, it was named "Project of the Year" for sports.
- In 2015 and 2016, its security team won "Security Staff of the Year" for MLS.
- In 2016 and 2017, it won the J.D. Power "Best In Fan Experience" award for the New York area. This means fans loved their experience at the stadium!
- In 2018 and 2021, the stadium's field won "Field of the Year" from the Sports Turf Managers Association.
- In 2021, it received a special accreditation (GBAC STAR) for having excellent health and safety protocols, especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Getting to the Stadium
Public Transportation
It's super easy to get to Sports Illustrated Stadium using public transport!
- You can take the PATH train to the Harrison station. This station was expanded in 2019 to handle more fans.
- You can also take the New Jersey Transit Bus route 40.
Walking and Biking
There's plenty of bike parking near the Harrison PATH station. Many people also enjoy walking across the Jackson Street Bridge from Newark to get to the stadium. In 2022, a cool soccer-themed mural called Unity Goal was painted near the bridge, celebrating how soccer brings people together.
Driving and Parking
If you're driving, the stadium is easy to reach from major highways like I-280. There are several parking lots and a garage nearby for fans.
Images for kids
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Former logo as Red Bull Arena
See also
In Spanish: Sports Illustrated Stadium para niños
