MetLife Stadium
East Rutherford, NJ · Home of the New York Jets and New York Giants
Upcoming games
Schedule data syncs from our events feed. Ticket links go to SeatGeek.
No upcoming games currently listed for MetLife Stadium.
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Parking
Reserve a spot in advance — game-day parking near MetLife Stadium fills early.
Getting there
MetLife Stadium sits in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, NJ, about 5 miles west of Manhattan. NJ Transit runs Meadowlands Rail Service from Secaucus Junction directly to the stadium on game days, connecting from Penn Station New York and most NJ Transit lines via a transfer at Secaucus. Driving uses the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) via exits 16W and 17, with Route 3 and Route 120 as alternate approaches. Stadium parking lots open several hours before kickoff for tailgating; this is one of the few NFL venues where tailgating is fully part of the experience. Rideshare drop-off and pickup zones are signed at designated lots. Bag and entry rules are strict and uniform between the Jets and Giants — confirm on the team site before going.
The neighborhood
The Meadowlands is a sports-and-entertainment complex rather than a walkable neighborhood — MetLife shares the site with the American Dream mega-mall (indoor ski slope, amusement park, water park) and the former Meadowlands Racetrack. There isn't a pre-game bar district in the immediate footprint; tailgating in the lots is the dominant pre-game culture. Across the Hudson, Hoboken and Jersey City have lively pre-game bar scenes that are a short PATH ride or drive away, and Manhattan is a 15–25 minute trip via the bus or train. Travelers who want to pair the game with a non-tailgate evening tend to base out of Hoboken or Midtown rather than try to find a bar walking distance from the stadium.
Where to eat & drink nearby
Most fans tailgate — the parking lots open hours before kickoff and grills, coolers, and pop-up tents dominate the scene. For sit-down options nearby, Redd's Restaurant & Bar in Carlstadt is a longtime pre-game stop a short drive from the stadium, and Park & Rec in East Rutherford works as well. American Dream next door has a large food hall with dozens of vendors if you want indoor pre-game. In Hoboken, Carlo's Bake Shop (Cake Boss) and the bar strip on Washington Street are popular post-game stops. Houlihan's at the Meadowlands hosts game-day crowds as well. Tailgating ground rules vary by event and year — check the venue site before packing your grill.
First-timer tips
Plan to arrive at least 2–3 hours before kickoff if you intend to tailgate, or about 90 minutes if you're just going in. The Meadowlands Rail Service from Secaucus Junction is the most reliable transit move; expect crowds on the post-game return platform. MetLife enforces the NFL's clear-bag policy strictly — only NFL-approved clear bags or small clutch bags pass screening, so check the official policy before packing. Mobile-only ticketing is the norm and reception inside can be uneven on capacity Sundays; download tickets ahead. The stadium hosts both the Jets and the Giants and you can't always tell visually which team is the home team without checking the schedule — the signage swaps per game.
Best games to catch
For the Giants, the marquee rivalries are the Cowboys, Eagles, and Commanders — NFC East matchups that consistently price above the season average. Jets–Patriots, Jets–Bills, and Jets–Dolphins are the AFC East draws that anchor the Jets' home schedule. The annual Giants–Jets crosstown matchup, when scheduled, is also a high-demand date for the local crowd. Both teams publish promotional calendars and giveaways on their official sites — themed nights, heritage games, alumni reunions — that vary year to year, so check before locking in travel dates. International or special-event NFL games occasionally route through MetLife as well.
What to know
MetLife Stadium opened in 2010 as the only NFL venue shared by two teams in the same league, replacing the original Giants Stadium that stood on the same Meadowlands site from 1976 to 2009. It was the most expensive NFL stadium ever built at the time of construction, financed entirely by the two clubs without taxpayer funding. The seating bowl is engineered for NFL-scale crowds and can configure up to roughly 82,500 for football, making it one of the largest stadiums in the league. MetLife hosted Super Bowl XLVIII in February 2014 — the first cold-weather, outdoor Super Bowl — and is scheduled to host matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup including the final. The playing surface is FieldTurf and the open-bowl design leaves the field fully exposed to East Coast weather, which has shaped scheduling and gear decisions for decades.
Frequently asked questions
What time do gates open at MetLife Stadium?
Gates typically open about 2 hours before kickoff for NFL games; parking lots open earlier for tailgating, often 4–5 hours before. Check the team's official gameday guide for the specific game's gate time.
How do I get to MetLife Stadium without driving?
NJ Transit runs Meadowlands Rail Service from Secaucus Junction directly to the stadium on game days, connecting from Penn Station New York via Secaucus. NJ Transit buses (route 351) also run from Port Authority in Manhattan on Giants and Jets game days.
Where can I park at MetLife Stadium?
Stadium parking lots ring the building and open several hours before kickoff for tailgating. Reserving in advance via the parking link above typically beats showing up. Lot designations and rates vary year to year — confirm before driving.
Can I tailgate at MetLife Stadium?
Yes — tailgating is a central part of the pre-game culture, with most parking lots opening 4–5 hours before kickoff. Some lots restrict grills or open flames, and rules vary by lot and event. Check the team's tailgating policy before going.
What's the bag policy at MetLife Stadium?
MetLife enforces the NFL's clear-bag policy strictly — only NFL-approved clear bags (12x6x12 or smaller) or small non-clear clutches (4.5x6.5) pass screening. Check the MetLife official bag policy before packing.
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