Step Inside: MetLife Stadium – Home of the Jets & Giants

Stadium History | Parking & Admission | Seating & Capacity | Food & Concessions

MetLife Stadium is the multi-purpose home of the NFL’s New York Jets and New York Giants. Located at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, MetLife Stadium is just five miles west of New York City and one of only two stadiums in the NFL that is the home of two franchises (the other being SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles). The address for MetLife Stadium is 1 MetLife Stadium Drive.

Aside from its packed two-team NFL schedule, MetLife Stadium regularly offers marquee live music performances, major sporting events like Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014 and numerous international soccer friendlies, and special events such as WrestleMania. It will also host multiple matches during the 2026 World Cup.

Opening in 2010 as New Meadowlands Stadium, the stadium replaced the neighboring Giants Stadium as the shared home field for the Jets and Giants. With a standard capacity of 82,500, MetLife is the largest stadium in the NFL. In 2011, it was renamed MetLife Stadium under a 25-year agreement with the New York-based insurance company. The design borrows inspiration from the towering skyscrapers in its visible metropolitan skyline and features an easily interchangeable facade to accommodate both NFL teams.

In 2024, Ticketmaster teamed up with MetLife Stadium to commission a group of six local graffiti and mural artists to paint a series of original murals. The works of art celebrate and capture the diverse communities and fans that support the New York Giants and New York Jets — and that make New York City and New Jersey so great. The murals were unveiled during pre-season football and are located in the entry areas of suite levels 3, 5 and 5 on both the east and west sides of the stadium.

What events are coming up at MetLife Stadium?

See upcoming events and buy tickets for MetLife Stadium right here on Ticketmaster.

MetLife Stadium History

The architecture groups of 360 Architecture, EwingCole, Rockwell Group and Bruce Mau Design, Inc. broke ground on MetLife Stadium in September of 2007 and it opened on April 10, 2010. The Giants hosted the inaugural regular season game, beating the Carolina Panthers, 31-18. The Jets hosted their first home game at MetLife on Monday Night Football a day later, losing to the Baltimore Ravens, 10-9.

The stadium has only hosted one NFL playoff game. It came in 2012, when the Giants beat the Atlanta Falcons in the wild-card round on their way to winning Super Bowl XLVI. Numerous top artists have also performed at MetLife Stadium, including Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran.

Parking and Admissions at MetLife Stadium

Parking lots usually open five hours prior to the start of Giants or Jets games, and close two hours after the end of games. Prepaid parking passes are not available for purchase, unless distributed as part of specific ticket packages. Parking is first-come, first-served and costs $40 for cars and $160 for Buses or RVs.

Fans are encouraged to tailgate responsibly in MetLife Sports Complex parking lots before the game, but the use of grills and heaters are not permitted on parking decks. Tailgating is also limited to one car per space and fans are asked to keep tables, chairs and other tailgate accessories within the area near their vehicle.

How to get to MetLife Stadium without a car

To get to MetLife Stadium without a car, take the NJ Transit train to the MetLife Stadium station at Secaucus Junction, which is directly accessible from various NJ Transit rail lines connecting to New York City via Hoboken Terminal. At Secaucus, you can transfer to the designated Meadowlands Rail Line (which opened to the public in 2009) to reach the stadium.

MetLife Stadium bag policy and smoking policy

MetLife has enacted a clear bag policy that states the permissible bags must fall under three categories: any type of clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags that are 12″ x 6″ x 12″ or smaller, non-clear small purses or handbags that are less than 4.5″ x 6.5″ or one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags. Medical exceptions can be made upon proper inspection. Camera cases, backpacks, seat cushions or non-approved diaper or tote bags will not be permitted.

MetLife Stadium is smoke-free, though smoking is allowed along the fence line on the Plaza Level. Guest smoking electronic cigarettes, vape pens, and other similar devices should adhere to the MetLife Stadium smoking policy.

MetLife Stadium Capacity and Seating Options

MetLife Stadium is lauded for increased legroom and seat width compared to other stadiums, as well as an all-inclusive club and suite experience. MetLife has a capacity of 82,500, making it the largest in the NFL.

There are five tiers of seating at MetLife: the lower bowl (sections 101 to 149), suite level 3, club seating (201 to 250b), suite level 5, suite level 6 and the upper bowl (301 to 350). There are 33,346 seats in the lower bowl, 21,323 in the middle bowl and 27,897 in the upper bowl. MetLife Stadium also has 10,005 club seats and 218 luxury suites. Fans can enter the stadium at the gate assigned to their ticket. The stadium has four gates: Pepsi Gate, Verizon Gate, HCLTech Gate and Bud Lite Gate.

The largest attended event at MetLife Stadium was not a sports event, but the 12th Siyum HaShas of Daf Yomi in 2020, an important day of celebration for those who practice Judaism.

How much are New York Giants tickets?

Ticket prices for New York Giants games depend on a variety of factors, including date and time, city, matchup, seat location, and when the tickets are purchased. You can find select New York Giants tickets starting as low as $175, while available.

How much are New York Jets tickets?

Ticket prices for New York Jets games depend on a variety of factors, including date and time, city, matchup, seat location, and when the tickets are purchased. The average ticket for a New York Jets game can cost anywhere between $200-$310.

What are the best seats at MetLife Stadium?

The best seats at MetLife Stadium vary depending on the event and personal preferences. Check out MetLife Stadium seating charts and find your favorite seat today.

Food and Beverage Options at MetLife Stadium

Notable concession stand items at MetLife Stadium include chicken tenders, cheesesteaks, spicy chicken sandwiches, fried clams and more, plus items from Bubba Burgers and Thumann’s Hot Dogs. Portable stands also offer more culturally diverse options like Bahnbekyu’s Korean pulled pork, Global Pies empanadas and meat pies and Lucky’s Asian noodles and dumplings.

Fans cannot purchase more than two alcoholic beverages at a time with a single I.D. All concession stands stop serving alcohol at the beginning of the third quarter. No outside beverages are allowed in the stadium. During Jets home games, section 224B is alcohol-free.

World Cup at MetLife Stadium (New York / New Jersey Stadium)

MetLife Stadium (officially rebranded as New York / New Jersey Stadium during the tournament) will host eight matches, including the Final, during the 2026 World Cup. As a host of the event, the stadium has made multiple changes to accommodate the sport and expected crowds.

World Cup playing surface

MetLife Stadium, the home of the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets, typically has standard artificial turf on its field. However, ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the stadium changed the surface to natural grass – specifically Tahoma 31 bermudagrass – which was built specifically for the tournament.

World Cup seating and section changes

The changes don’t stop at the playing surface. To allow for the space properly needed for corner kicks and running, 1,740 seats in the four corners of MetLife Stadium have been removed. As far as what that reconfiguring means for purchasing tickets, all seats and sections at MetLife Stadium during the World Cup will be more focused on the center of the pitch, and none will obstruct the view.

Despite the changes, there are still seats available for every kind of soccer fan. For those going as a family with younger children or who are budget conscious, the 200-level seats are less crowded than the lower bowl, which makes it easier to move around the stadium for bathroom breaks and to hit concession stands. For those less concerned about budget who want to get closer to the action, the lower sideline sections for 111-120 and 121-140 offer seats that are at midfield and nearest to the pitch.

World Cup security and access points

Security and access points at MetLife Stadium during the World Cup will differ from typical Giants and Jets games. It is recommended that fans arrive two hours prior to match times due to added security requirements. If taking public transit, there will be three security checkpoints to go through: one at Penn Station, one at Secaucus Junction, and one at MetLife Stadium.

Parking, tailgate, transit options for World Cup

There will be no on-site parking at MetLife Stadium and no tailgating allowed during the World Cup. If taking a rideshare service to matches, drop-off points are off-site and not at MetLife Stadium. It is recommended to take public transportation to MetLife Stadium during the tournament. Learn more about transit and parking options for World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium.