Exploring NYC Sports Teams: Your Guide to the Big Apple’s Best

Frank Sinatra once said, “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere,” when referring to working in New York City. That’s because the heart of New York knows what it takes to get the job done. Sport events in New York City, as well as sports fans in the Big Apple, encapsulate the city’s spirit as the lights shine brightest on them. There’s nowhere to hide if you’re a New York sports team. Luckily, some of the most popular teams and most well-known franchises call the Big Apple home.

Major League / Professional Sports

Football

New York Giants

• League: NFL
• Division: NFC East
• Founded: 1925
• Home Stadium: MetLife Stadium

The New York Giants are one of the oldest franchises in pro sports and have a storied history that has featured eight championships. The Giants have been owned by the Mara family since 1925 and the franchise won Super Bowls in 1982, 1986, 2007, and 2011 (the franchise also won four championships before the 1970 AFL–NFL merger). The Giants play in the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey at MetLife Stadium. The team has fierce rivalries with the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, and San Francisco 49ers. Get MetLife Stadium tickets and New York Giants tickets at Ticketmaster.

New York Jets

• League: NFL
• Division: AFC East
• Founded: 1959
• Home Stadium: MetLife Stadium

Originally a member of the American Football League as the Titans of New York, the New York Jets joined the NFL in 1970. The Jets’ lone championship came in 1969, the first year the AFL/NFL Championship Game was known as the Super Bowl. The franchise is affectionately known as “Gang Green” and shares MetLife Stadium with the Giants. The Jets’ biggest foes are the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins. Get New York Jets tickets at Ticketmaster.

Basketball

New York Knicks

• League: NBA
• Division: Atlantic Division
• Founded: 1946
• Home Stadium: Madison Square Garden

The New York Knicks, also known as the Knickerbockers, were created in 1946 as one of the initial members of the Basketball Association of America before the foundation of the NBA. Since then, the Knicks have won two championships, 1970 and 1973, while playing in the “world’s most famous arena” Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Knicks have deep rivalries with the Miami Heat and the Brooklyn Nets. Get Madison Square Garden tickets and New York Knicks tickets at Ticketmaster.

Brooklyn Nets

• League: NBA
• Division: Atlantic Division
• Founded: 1967
• Home Stadium: Barclays Center

The Nets moved to Brooklyn in 2012 after being the New Jersey Nets since 1977. Before that, the franchise was known as the New York Nets and the New Jersey Americans. The franchise has called many cities in the Tri-State area home, ranging from Teaneck and East Rutherford, New Jersey to Long Island and Brooklyn, New York. The franchise currently plays at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. The Nets have won two ABA championships but never an NBA title. The Nets’ biggest rival is the Knicks. Get Barclays Center tickets and Brooklyn Nets tickets at Ticketmaster.

Baseball

New York Yankees

• League: MLB
• Division: American League East
• Founded: 1903
• Home Stadium: Yankee Stadium

The winningest franchise in the history of the four major North American professional sports leagues, the New York Yankees have won 27 World Series titles. The Bronx Bombers were originally known as the New York Highlanders until 1913. Some of the greatest players in the history of baseball have played for the Yankees, including Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Joe Dimaggio, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, and Derek Jeter. The team plays at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. Rivalries don’t get more bitter than the one the Yankees have with the Boston Red Sox. Get Yankee Stadium tickets and New York Yankees tickets at Ticketmaster.

New York Mets

• League: MLB
• Division: National League East
• Founded: 1962
• Home Stadium: Citi Field

The New York Mets were founded in 1962 and have resided in Queens since 1964 after moving from the Polo Grounds to Shea Stadium. The franchise has won two World Series championships, 1969 and 1986. The Metropolitans, also nicknamed The Amazins play at Citi Field, which was built in 2009. The Mets call the Atlanta Braves and the Yankees their biggest rivals. Get Citi Field tickets and New York Mets tickets at Ticketmaster.

Ice Hockey

New York Rangers

• League: NHL
• Division: Metropolitan Division
• Founded: 1926
• Home Stadium: Madison Square Garden

One of the Original Six franchises before the NHL expanded, the New York Rangers have been skating since 1926. Much of the team’s success came in its early years, as it won Stanley Cups in 1928, 1933, 1940, and 1994. The Broadway Blueshirts share Madison Square Garden with the Knicks. The Rangers’ biggest rival is the Philadelphia Flyers. Get New York Rangers tickets at Ticketmaster.

New York Islanders

• League: NHL
• Division: Metropolitan Division
• Founded: 1972
• Home Stadium: UBS Arena

Architects of one of the most dominant stretches in North American professional sports, the New York Islanders were the team of the 1980s in the NHL. The franchise’s four Stanley Cup titles came between 1980 and 1983. The team plays at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York on Long Island. The Rangers are the Islanders’ biggest rival. Get UBS Arena tickets and New York Islanders tickets at Ticketmaster.

Soccer

• League: MLS
• Division: Eastern Conference
• Founded: 2013
• Home Stadium: Yankee Stadium

The newest of the New York sports teams, New York City Football Club was founded in 2013. The club primarily plays its home matches at Yankee Stadium. It won the MLS Cup in 2021 and the Campeones Cup in 2022. Its biggest rival is the New Jersey Red Bulls. Get NYCFC tickets at Ticketmaster.

Collegiate Sports & Other Professional Teams

The New York Liberty of the WNBA play at Barclays Center while St. John’s University is based in Queens. Syracuse University is also a major university in the area.