MetLife Stadium - New York Giants

Photos by Steven Kee and Richard Smith, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57

MetLife Stadium 1 MetLife Stadium Dr East Rutherford, NJ 07073

New York Giants website

MetLife Stadium website

Year Opened: 2010

Capacity: 82,500

---

Big Blue Game Day at MetLife Stadium

MetLife Stadium is home to the New York Giants and the Jets of the National Football League. 

The joint venture, privately funded stadium opened for the 2011 season at an approximate cost of $1.6 billion and was the most expensive stadium built at the time. This review will focus on the Giants' experience, who were the first to move to the Meadowlands complex almost half a century ago.

MetLife Stadium has a sleek and modern design, inspired by the many skyscrapers in New York City. The stadium’s main focal point is that it eliminates the color blue during Giants games, while it glows green during Jets games. However, this may be the only aspect that gives the stadium a unique feel for the G-Men. The 82,500-seat stadium is the largest in the NFL.

The stadium is in East Rutherford, New Jersey, approximately 6 miles across the Hudson River from Manhattan. The Giants first played at the Meadowlands in 1976 at Giants Stadium, a football-only venue that was cherished by many around the area and the league.

Wellington Mara viewed the river as a large street of New York City when announcing the move in 1971. The Giants were looking for a new stadium in the city as their home, Yankee Stadium, was scheduled for renovations after the 1973 season. They previously played at the Polo Grounds from 1925 to 1955.

The NFL has seen a wide array of new and distinctive football stadiums in Minneapolis, Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles, so a facility such as MetLife might get overlooked from an aesthetic standpoint. However, there has always been a waiting list for tickets for Giants games for 50 years, and one can expect a full house for games each Sunday at the Meadowlands regardless of the team’s record.

Food & Beverage 4

MetLife Stadium offers fans an impressive mix of classic stadium fare, regional favorites, and global flavors spread across every level of the venue. Whether you’re looking for a quick grab-and-go snack or a hearty meal to fuel four quarters of football, the stadium’s dining program is designed to accommodate just about every appetite.

Fans craving familiar comfort food will find no shortage of options. Thumann’s hot dogs—available in regular and footlong versions—are joined by burgers from Patty’s Burger, cheesesteaks, pizza slices, and baskets of chicken tenders and fries. 

Boardwalk Fryer adds a Jersey Shore flair with fried clams, while WingMan NYC serves up traditional and boneless wings tossed in Buffalo, Hot Honey BBQ, or Garlic Parmesan sauces. Global Pies features empanadas and meat pies, OPA brings gyros and Greek fries, and Taco’s Raqueros dishes out tacos, burritos, and loaded nachos from portable stands. 

For something heartier, Against the Grain offers brisket sandwiches during Giants games, complete with Nick Mangold’s signature BBQ sauce, while Nonna Fusco’s Kitchen delivers Italian staples like meatball sandwiches, chicken vodka parm, and zeppoles (a Jersey specialty of fried dough balls topped with confectioner's sugar).

Fans looking for lighter or specialty items can seek out Petite Greens for salads and quinoa bowls, Fuku for its popular chicken sandwiches and fries, or Mr. Tot for loaded tater tots topped with burnt ends chili. Sweet tooths are well covered too, with Mrs. Fields cookies, Dippin’ Dots, and Welsh Farms soft-serve ice cream scattered throughout the stadium.

Beverage options are just as extensive. In addition to standard soft drinks and draft beer at most concession stands, fans can explore specialty beer locations, gluten-free beer offerings, non-alcoholic beer, and international selections at Beers of the World stands.  There are dedicated areas like the Craft Beer Zone, Modelo Cantina, and Casamigos Tequila Bar.

There are more than enough food and beverage options at MetLife Stadium to satisfy fans. The prices are in line with other NFL venues, but there are game-day classics, local favorites, and high-class options to choose from at a Giants game.

Atmosphere 3

Many fans have noted that the atmosphere at MetLife Stadium feels markedly different depending on whether the Giants or Jets are playing—but why is that? Giants games tend to carry a more corporate tone, with some longtime fans likely priced out by the introduction of personal seat licenses. Whatever the reason, the building is still full, and demand remains strong whenever Big Blue is in town.

Upon arrival, fans enter an exterior concourse that wraps around much of the stadium and serves as a hub for pregame activities and events. It also functions well as a convenient meeting spot both before and after the game. Inside, the interior concourses are relatively narrow and limited in number. While the layout is somewhat unique, it remains easy enough to navigate.

Fans arrive early for games and tailgate in the surrounding parking lots. Once the game begins, a sea of blue enters the stadium and floods the concourse towards their seat. The stadium design is rather generic and does not offer many unique features, but most seats offer decent views of the field. However, the Upper Bowl (300 Level) is quite steep in many areas.

However, the focus is on the field for many fans in attendance, and when the team is faring better in the standings, the atmosphere is a much better experience. Hopefully, that will change with a few new, young core players hoping to leave their mark on the franchise.

Neighborhood 3

MetLife Stadium is in the Meadowlands Sports Complex, in the middle of a vast parking lot that makes it ideal for tailgating before the game. The American Dream is a retail and entertainment complex that offers an array of options for fans while in the area. The complex’s highlights include an indoor ski slope, an indoor theme and a water park, a trampoline park, and an aquarium.  

The mall houses a few interesting places for eating that include the Yard House, Mr. Beast Burgers, Lucciano’s, Around the Clock Diner, and Jarana New Jersey (Peruvian cuisine). There are a total of 400 stores and attractions at the American Dream.

Nearby MetLife Stadium, check out the Tick Tock Diner for a wide variety of food and their iconic dish of Disco Fries. Hamburguesa for a Latin take on the classic burger, and Song’E Napule for pizza and other Italian dishes. A few local breweries including Bolero Snort Brewery and New Jersey Beer Company, are worth having a few samples of pints after the game. 

Fans 5

Giants fans are unapologetically vocal, making their opinions known on every down. They’ll tell you the rules of the game, express exactly how they feel in the moment, and openly show their frustration when the team lets them down—sometimes booing all the way to the parking lot. 

On the flip side, they are just as loud and generous with praise when things are going well. Still, even a single mistake in a lopsided Giants win won’t escape criticism. Regardless, it’s an engaged, knowledgeable crowd that genuinely loves NFL football, and it’s hard not to get swept up in it. Even a novice fan will leave with a better understanding of the game after spending time among Giants fans.

Access 3

Getting to MetLife Stadium is relatively simple; most fans arrive by car and use either the New Jersey Turnpike or Route 3 to get there on game days. There are 82,000 parking spots, but parking permits are required for all vehicles entering the Sports Complex; fans can purchase a prepaid permit online or on the secondary market. There are off-site lots that offer shuttle service to and from the stadium.

The south side lots D, E, F, and J are the best options if you are looking to get out quickly after the game. However, you can always stick around for a bit after the game and wait for most of the cars to leave the parking lot, but give yourself some time and a little bit of patience if leaving with the majority of fans after a game. An Uber Zone is located in Lot E of West Peripheral Road outside of the Verizon Gate.

Two mass transit options provide service from Manhattan. The 351 Meadowlands Express leaves from Port Authority Bus Terminal and costs $7 for a round-trip ticket and usually takes approximately 20 minutes. Another option is using New Jersey Transit from Hoboken, which allows fans from New York to connect to the bus via the PATH train. The cost is $9.90 for a round-trip ticket.

Return on Investment 3

A New York Giants ticket is among the most expensive in the league, but based on the team’s record or opponent could dip down in price. The price could be as low as $61 to $1,000 to see a game. It is best to use a secondary ticket site such as TickPick for pricing and availability. 

The price to park your car is between $40-$60 if prepaid, but can be higher based on parking availability. There are many cheaper shuttle services from off-site locations, such as the Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites, and Hilton, for around $20 round-trip.

For customers arriving without a vehicle. Redd’s Restaurant is less than a mile away from the stadium. NJ Transit bus #161 (with direct access to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC) drops off at Redd’s parking lot.

Beer prices range from $6.80 to $16.49 for a 16-ounce can at NFL stadiums across the country. At MetLife Stadium, a 16-ounce can costs $13. The price of a hot dog is around $7 (above the league average).

Extras 4

The stadium receives a point for its blue lighting on its interior that lights up for Giants games. The MetLife signage also lights up with a blue hue during game days.

Arrive early to tailgate or, if you are taking mass transportation, take advantage of the Bud Light Corner outside the stadium, where live music, games, and drink specials are offered before the game.

The Legacy Room displays a wealth of history of the Giants dating back to its founding in 1925. Busts and jerseys of former players encompass the room, with the pièce de résistance being the four Vince Lombardi Trophies.

MetLife Stadium was financed privately by the New York Giants and New York Jets. The two organizations paid $1.6 billion to design and construct.

Final Thoughts

MetLife Stadium is worth a visit, but there could have been more done with its aesthetics and overall experience. If you are looking to watch a football game with loyal fans, this is the place.