MetLife Stadium – stadium description

Why was MetLife Stadium built?

As Giants Stadium approached 30 years of age, it was becoming one of the oldest venues in the NFL. The Jets, who were only renting the stadium from the Giants, planned to build their own venue – the West Side Stadium – in Manhattan. It was intended to hold 85,000 spectators for New York City’s planned bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, and for Jets games the stadium was to be configured for 75,000 seats.

However, construction would have required significant financial support from the city and the state, which faced opposition from multiple parties, including the owner of the nearby Madison Square Garden arena – Cablevision. As a result, the project was halted in 2005. Ultimately, the Giants and Jets decided to jointly build a new stadium in which both teams would be equal partners.

What did construction of MetLife Stadium look like?

Construction of MetLife Stadium, the new home for the New York Giants and New York Jets, began on September 5, 2007, right next to the old Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands complex in New Jersey. The new stadium was built just about 20 meters from its predecessor, which allowed for convenient movement between the construction sites.

The entire investment cost $1.6 billion (approximately $2.30 billion when adjusted to 2024 dollars), making it one of the most expensive sports venues in the world. The stadium was completed ahead of schedule, opening its doors on April 10, 2010, several months before the NFL season began.

Renowned architectural firms were responsible for the design, including 360 Architecture, EwingCole, Rockwell Group, and Bruce Mau Design. The steel structure was supplied by Canam Group, while engineering oversight was conducted by Thornton Tomasetti. The general contractor was Skanska, known for carrying out large-scale construction projects.

Why can construction of MetLife Stadium be considered innovative?

MetLife Stadium stands out for its innovative construction, completed five months ahead of schedule and within budget. During the process, 7,000 tons of debris were diverted from landfills, and structural elements were made from recycled materials. The aluminum louvers on the stadium façade span over 50 kilometers in length, and advanced BIM technology enabled faster steel prefabrication, which significantly shortened the construction timeline.

The stadium lights up in the colors of the New York Giants or the New York Jets, depending on which team is playing. The work was completed in 4.5 million labor hours without any serious accidents. The project incorporated a Project Labor Agreement, which improved safety and speed of construction, and 33% of the workforce and subcontractors came from WMBE (minority-owned businesses). Concrete prefabricated elements were tracked using RFID technology, and the structure comprises over 17,000 steel components.

During construction, 40,000 tons of recycled steel and 30,000 tons of concrete from the old Giants Stadium were used, half of which served as base material for roads. 83% of construction waste was recycled, exceeding the planned target by 13%. The facility was built on reclaimed land, on concrete piles and foundations, with solar panels and water-saving solutions. Crushed granite spread over an area equivalent to four football fields helps save 7.5 million liters of water annually.

What was MetLife Stadium’s green agreement with the EPA?

In June 2009, the New Meadowlands Stadium Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which aimed to implement environmentally friendly solutions during the construction and operation of MetLife Stadium. The agreement was intended to reduce air pollution emissions, save water and energy, improve waste management, and minimize the overall environmental impact of the investment. The plan called for a reduction of approximately 1.68 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions during the construction phase and the stadium’s first year of operation.

As part of the agreement, the corporation committed to using 40,000 tons of recycled steel, installing plastic seats made from recycled materials, and reducing emissions from construction machinery by using cleaner fuels and filters. The plan also included promoting public transportation for fans and replacing traditional packaging and equipment in food service areas with compostable versions. Every six months, the company is required to submit a progress report to the EPA, which will then estimate the specific environmental benefits resulting from the implemented actions.

What does MetLife Stadium look like?

Architects were tasked with designing a stadium that would be neutral but at the same time reflect the unique character of both teams – the Giants and the Jets. The Giants preferred a traditional style with exposed steel structure and rustic stone, while the Jets favored a modern, sleek look with the use of metal and glass. Designers drew inspiration from the silhouettes of columns and towers characteristic of New York City skyscrapers.

The base of the stadium’s façade is clad in stone resembling limestone, while the upper levels feature aluminum louvers and glass elements. The stadium has internal lighting that changes depending on which team is playing – blue for the Giants and green for the Jets, inspired by Allianz Arena in Munich. Unlike Giants Stadium, MetLife Stadium can be quickly adapted to one of the teams within a few hours.

The front-row seats are located 14 meters from the sideline – the shortest distance among NFL stadiums. Changing the field’s decoration, which includes removing 40 sections of artificial turf, takes two four-person teams about 18 hours.

Ten giant HD LED screens mounted on columns at the north, south, east, and west entrances display video materials representing the current home team. The pylons are about 16 meters tall and 6.1 meters wide. Inside the stadium, at each corner of the upper seating level, there are four HD video boards measuring 9.1 by 35 meters.

MetLife Stadium’s layout echoes that of the old Giants Stadium and can accommodate 82,500 people, including 10,005 premium seats and around 218 VIP boxes, making MetLife the largest NFL stadium in terms of total seating capacity. The stands were designed with an angle that eliminates obstructed views, allowing fans to clearly follow the full arc of a ball kicked 30 yards into the air.

MetLife Stadium has four locker rooms – two designated for the Giants and Jets, and two for visiting teams. The home teams’ locker rooms are located at opposite ends of the stadium, with the visitors’ locker rooms positioned right next to them. For most games, the visiting team uses the locker room opposite the home team, while the unused visiting locker room serves as additional space for the hosts. In games not involving the Giants or Jets, each team uses one of the visiting locker rooms. When the Giants and Jets face each other, each team uses its own main locker room and the adjacent visitors’ locker room as additional space.

What was built at MetLife Stadium after 2010?

In 2012, the DLR Group, in collaboration with NRG Energy, designed and installed the Solar Ring along the upper edge of the stadium. It consists of 13 BIPV photovoltaic panels mounted in 47 frames. These panels are backlit with LED lights and can display the Giants’ and Jets’ colors (blue and green), as well as other colors for special occasions such as concerts, soccer matches, or college events. The system generates approximately 350 kW of energy – nearly 25 times more than needed to power the LED system itself – and the surplus can be used by the stadium or returned to the grid.

In January 2024, a modernization of the stadium’s lower section began to adapt the field to FIFA regulations for the 2026 World Cup, which will include eight matches, including the final. The work was carried out in two phases – the first was completed in May 2024, and the second concluded in May 2025. In order to enlarge the pitch dimensions for the tournament while preserving the current NFL seating capacity and layout, the four corners of the existing reinforced concrete seating bowl were demolished and replaced with a new modular grandstand system made of steel composite. The works also included upgrades to mechanical, electrical, audiovisual, and plumbing systems. Additionally, 1,740 permanent seats were replaced with new ones as part of the updated system.

What is ownership and lease structure of MetLife Stadium?

Both teams jointly formed the New Meadowlands Stadium Company, LLC – a 50/50 joint venture – to build and manage the stadium. The land on which the venue stands was leased from the NJSEA for a 25-year term, with an option to extend the lease for up to 97 years. After 15 years of the lease term, and then every five years, each team has the right to opt out, provided they notify the state authorities one year in advance. The first such opportunity fell in 2025 (meaning notification had to be given in 2024).

However, if one team decides to leave the stadium, the other is obligated to remain until the end of the lease. In practice, though, due to the enormous costs associated with building a new stadium and relocating, such a scenario appears unlikely. It’s also worth noting that both teams generate revenue from year-round parking on the western lots of the Meadowlands complex, even when no events are taking place at the stadium.

What is naming rights situation of MetLife Stadium?

The German financial and insurance giant Allianz was interested in acquiring the stadium’s naming rights for up to 30 years, at a cost estimated between $20–30 million. However, the offer was met with opposition from the New York Jewish community and the Anti-Defamation League, due to the company’s ties to the Nazi regime during World War II. Although some members of the Jewish community – such as Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum – considered Allianz’s position to be open and conciliatory, the negotiations ended without an agreement on September 12, 2008.

Ultimately, on June 27, 2011, it was announced that talks had begun with the New York-based firm MetLife. On August 23 of the same year, a 25-year agreement was signed, and the stadium was officially named MetLife Stadium.

What awards and recognitions has MetLife Stadium received?

In 2009, MetLife Stadium was recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the greenest stadium in the entire NFL – praised for its use of eco-friendly materials and sustainable construction practices.

Then, in July 2017, the stadium was awarded the title of Venue of the Year by the Stadium Business Summit. This prestigious recognition is given to the world’s best stadium, arena, or sports venue that, over the past 12 months, has demonstrated outstanding achievements in management, innovation, or quality of services provided.

What sporting events have taken place at MetLife Stadium?

MetLife Stadium is one of the most important venues on the sports map of the United States and the world. It is the home of two NFL teams – the New York Giants and the New York Jets – which in itself is a unique arrangement in the league. But its role extends far beyond regular American football games.

The stadium has hosted countless high-level soccer events – including friendly matches featuring powerhouses like Argentina, Brazil, and Portugal, as well as club classics with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, and Juventus. It has regularly hosted matches from tournaments such as the International Champions Cup, Copa América, and the FIFA Club World Cup. The stadium will also play a central role in the 2026 World Cup – in terms of the number of matches, including semifinals and the final.

College football also holds a significant place in the stadium’s history, with particular emphasis on the annual Army–Navy game and the symbolic Cortaca Jug match, which drew the largest crowd in the history of NCAA Division III football.

In 2014, the stadium made history by hosting Super Bowl XLVIII – the first-ever NFL championship game held in an open-air stadium located in a cold-weather city. The event was seen as an extraordinary precedent, endorsed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell himself, who emphasized the historical significance of the new venue for the New York region. The game took place on February 2, 2014, in a temperature of 9°C (48°F).

MetLife Stadium has also been the stage for major entertainment spectacles. It has twice hosted the most important event on the wrestling calendar – WrestleMania. The first edition held at the stadium was in 2013 (WrestleMania 29) and attracted 80,676 spectators, making it the most profitable WWE event in history – until the next one. Six years later, WrestleMania 35 brought in 82,265 fans, setting a new attendance and financial record (with $16.9 million in revenue). What’s more, the stadium is preparing for another historic event – the first-ever two-day SummerSlam, scheduled for August 2025.

As a multifunctional venue, the stadium has also served as an ice rink – hosting a special edition of the NHL Stadium Series, which featured two outdoor hockey games with teams from New York and Philadelphia. It was the first event of its kind in New Jersey’s history and drew tens of thousands of fans, going down as one of the most attended events in NHL history.

What non-sporting events have been held at MetLife Stadium?

Although MetLife Stadium is primarily associated with sports, its role as one of the most important concert and event venues in the United States is equally significant. The venue regularly attracts the biggest global music stars and hundreds of thousands of fans. Concerts by Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Billy Joel, Stevie Nicks, My Chemical Romance, and Zach Bryan have filled the stands to capacity, generating record-breaking revenues and establishing the stadium as a fixed stop on global concert tours. Audiences have also experienced unique shows such as Oasis and the Jonas Brothers, both of which treated MetLife as a key stop on their anniversary tours.

In addition to concerts, the stadium also serves as a hub for cultural, religious, and community events. It has hosted international Jehovah’s Witness conventions, Siyum HaShas religious gatherings, and high-profile occasions such as the inauguration ceremony of the governor of New Jersey and the glamorous Bollywood gala of the IIFA international film awards.

The stadium has also been the site of major music festivals, including the annual hip-hop Summer Jam organized by New York radio station Hot 97 and the Electric Daisy Carnival – one of the world’s most recognizable electronic music festivals.