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MetLife Stadium

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Home of the New York Jets
Home of the New York Giants
MetLife Stadium
The New Meadowlands
New Meadowlands Stadium Mezz Corner
Location One MetLife Stadium Dr.
East Rutherford, New Jersey 07073
Broke ground September 5, 2007[1]
Opened April 10, 2010[2]
Owner New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority
Operator MetLife Stadium Company, LLC
(New York Giants 50%/New York Jets 50%)
Surface UBU Sports' Speed Series S5-M (2013-present)
FieldTurf (2010-2012)
Construction cost $1.6 billion
($NaN in 2024 dollars[3])
Architect 360 Architecture
EwingCole
Rockwell Group
Bruce Mau Design, Inc.
Project Manager Hammes Company Sports Development
Structural engineer Thornton Tomasetti
General Contractor Skanska AB[4]
Main contractors Structal–Heavy Steel Construction, a division of Canam Group[5]
Former names New Meadowlands Stadium (2010)
Tenants New York Giants (NFL) (2010-Present)
New York Jets (NFL) (2010-Present)
Capacity 82,566

MetLife Stadium is a sports stadium located at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It is the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League and is adjacent to the site of the former Giants Stadium, which was home to the Giants from 1976 until December 2009 and the Jets from 1984 until January 2010. Like its predecessor, MetLife Stadium is the only NFL stadium shared by two teams.

The stadium is owned by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority on paper. However, the New York Giants and New York Jets jointly built the stadium using private funds, and operate it through the MetLife Stadium Company, a 50/50 joint venture between the two teams. In contrast, the Jets were tenants of the NJSEA at Giants Stadium. The NJSEA continues to provide security and emergency medical services staff under contract to the stadium, as they have done in the past at Giants Stadium. The stadium opened as New Meadowlands Stadium on April 10, 2010, featuring the Big City Classic lacrosse event.[2] In 2011, MetLife, an insurance company based in New York City, acquired the naming rights to the stadium. At a construction cost of approximately $1.6 billion, it is the most expensive stadium ever built[6] and is the second–largest stadium in the NFL in terms of seating capacity.

On May 25, 2010, it was announced that Super Bowl XLVIII, to take place in 2014, was awarded to the stadium, the first time a Super Bowl would be played in the New York metropolitan area, and the first time that a non-domed stadium in a cold-weather city would host it.[7]

History[]

As Giants Stadium approached 30 years of age, it was becoming one of the older stadiums in the NFL. The Jets, who had been the lesser tenants in the Meadowlands, sought to have their own stadium built in Manhattan proper, the proposed West Side Stadium. Originally intended to be the 85,000-seat main stadium for New York's bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, it was designed to be downsized to 75,000 seats for the Jets. However, the West Side Stadium would have required significant public funding, which collapsed in 2005. The Jets then entered into a partnership with the Giants to build a new stadium in which the two teams would be equal partners.

Design[]

Template:Multiple image

The stadium is distinguished by an outer skin of aluminum louvers and by interior lighting that switches colors depending on which team is playing at home—blue for the Giants and green for the Jets. The interior lighting of the team(s) colors during day, the stadium appears to be incomplete or still under construction.[8] This is a technique originated at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, which is shared between the city's two major soccer clubs, Bayern Munich and 1860 Munich. Essentially, unlike Giants Stadium, MetLife Stadium can easily be converted from a Giants game to a Jets game or vice versa within a matter of hours.[9] The special louvers and the associated hanging system were custom designed and manufactured by Overgaard Ltd. of Hong Kong and Architectural Wall Systems of Des Moines, Iowa. The total linear length of louvers is exactly 50,000 meters (50 kilometers) or 163,681 feet (31.1 miles).

Front row 50 yard line seats are 46 feet (14 m) away from the sideline, which is the shortest distance of all NFL Stadiums. To change the field decorations, two 4-man crews take about 18 hours to roll up 40 sections of FieldTurf that make up the teams' respective endzones.[10] Unlike most NFL stadiums, the NFL logo is painted at midfield instead of the logo of one of the teams, also shortening the transition time. The replaceable team logos at midfield were removed in August 2010 after Domenik Hixon tore his anterior cruciate ligament at a practice at the stadium during training camp.[11]

Unlike a number of other new NFL venues, MetLife Stadium does not have a roof, as proposals to include a roof failed due to a dispute over funding.[12] Thus, indoor events such as the Final Four cannot be held at the facility, which runs counter to the original aims for a new stadium in northern New Jersey.[13]

Twenty giant high-definition-ready light emitting diode (LED) pylons designed, manufactured, and installed by Daktronics at the north and east entrances display videos of the team that is playing. The pylons measure approximately 54 ft (16m) high by 20 ft (6m) wide. Inside, four 30 ft (9m) by 116 ft (35m) video displays from Daktronics, which incorporate high definition video technology, hang from each corner of the upper deck.[14]

The new stadium has seating for 82,566 fans, including 10,005 club seats and approximately 218 luxury suites, making it the second-largest NFL stadium in total seating.[15]

lower bowl mid-bowl upper bowl
33,346 21,323 27,897

MetLife Stadium includes a total of four locker rooms: one for the Giants, one for the Jets and two for visiting teams. The home teams have locker rooms on opposite ends of the stadium with a visitor's locker room adjacent to it; the unused visitor locker room is also used as a spillover area by the home team on game days.[15][16]

Lease terms[]

File:Meadowlands Sports Complex - kingsley - 04-JUL-09.JPG

View of New Meadowlands Stadium (under construction) and Giants Stadium (on right) in July 2009

The lease for the new stadium is for 25 years, with options to extend it that could eventually reach 97 years. After the 15th year of the lease, every five years, one of the two teams may opt out of the lease after giving the state 12 months notice. However, if one team leaves for a new stadium, the other team would have to remain for the remainder of the lease. Based on the teams' histories, this clause presumably allows the Jets to eventually decide that they want to play in their own stadium and leave if they can find a way to finance it, although the high cost of the stadium and relocation of team facilities to New Jersey makes this unlikely (although the Jets have relocated their facilities to Florham Park, New Jersey). It is unknown if the lease starts upon construction or upon the stadium's opening. The teams also get parking revenue from the Meadowlands' western parking lots year round, even when there are no events at the stadium (this would occur when other parts of the Meadowlands host events).[17]

Transportation[]

MetLife Stadium is accessible via Exit 16W on the western spur of the New Jersey Turnpike and is also located adjacent to Route 3 and Route 120. Coach USA provides bus service between the stadium and the Port Authority Bus Terminal.[18]

The Meadowlands Rail Line operates on event days between the newly constructed Meadowlands Station and Hoboken Terminal via Secaucus Junction, where there is connecting service to Pennsylvania Station (New York City), Pennsylvania Station (Newark), and other New Jersey Transit rail operations. The line opened to the public on July 26, 2009.[19]

Naming rights[]

Allianz, a financial services company based in Germany, expressed interest in purchasing naming rights to the stadium. The proposal was for a period of up to 30 years,[20] and was estimated to be valued at somewhere between $20 million and $30 million USD. However, it sparked protests from New York's Jewish community (the largest outside of Israel) and the Anti-Defamation League, which opposed the move due to close ties in the past between Allianz and the government of Nazi Germany during World War II. However, Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum, secretary general of the North American Board of Rabbis, agreed that although survivors' sensibilities are understandable, a naming deal is legitimate. "I have found Allianz to be receptive, to be sensitive and a friend of the Jewish people today," he said.[21] Allianz sponsors the venue that inspired the color-change technology for MetLife Stadium: Allianz Arena in Munich. No agreement was reached and talks between Allianz and the teams ended on September 12, 2008.[22]

On June 27, 2011, it was reported that insurance company MetLife entered discussions to purchase naming rights to the stadium.[23] The new name, "MetLife Stadium,"[24] became official when all parties signed a 25-year deal on August 23.[25][26]

EPA agreement[]

File:MetLife Stadium Exterior.jpg

The exterior of MetLife Stadium

In June 2009, the New Meadowlands Stadium Corporation and the EPA signed a memorandum of understanding that outlines plans to incorporate environmentally-friendly materials and practices into the construction and operation of MetLife Stadium. The agreement includes strategies to reduce air pollution, conserve water and energy, improve waste management, and reduce the environmental impact of construction. The goal of the agreement is to save the emission of nearly 1.68 million metric tons of carbon dioxide during the stadium's construction and its first year of operation. Under this agreement, the stadium construction must use around 40,000 tons of recycled steel, recycle 20,000 tons of steel from Giants Stadium, install seating made from recycled plastic and scrap iron, and reduce air pollution from construction vehicles by using cleaner diesel fuel, diesel engine filters, and minimizing engine idle times. Other goals of this agreement include providing mass transit options for fans and replacing traditional concession plates, cups and carries with compostable alternatives. The New Meadowlands Stadium Corporation will report the progress on its goals to EPA every six months. Based on the reports, EPA will quantify the benefits of the venue’s environmental efforts.[27][28]

Super Bowl[]

File:New Meadowlands Stadium.jpg

Inside MetLife Stadium during the first-ever preseason game between the Giants and Jets on August 16, 2010

The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos 43–8 for their first Super Bowl victory when MetLife Stadium hosted Super Bowl XLVIII on February 2, 2014.[29] The NFL requires that a Super Bowl hosting stadium must have an average temperature of 50 degrees or higher in February or be held in an indoor climate-controlled facility. However, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell waived this requirement. The stadium was allowed on the ballot because of a "unique, once-only circumstance based on the opportunity to celebrate the new stadium and the great heritage and history of the NFL in the New York region".[30][31]

Notable moments[]

File:Jets-Cowboys Pregame.jpg

Pre-game ceremony prior to the Jets-Cowboys game on September 11, 2011

  • September 12, 2010: The Giants hosted the first NFL regular season game in the stadium's history against the Carolina Panthers, winning 31–18.[32]
  • September 13, 2010: The Jets played their first game at the stadium against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football with a 10–9 loss.[33]
  • November 14, 2010: The stadium encountered two power outages during the game that featured the Giants and the Dallas Cowboys. The game was delayed about 8 minutes.[34]
  • December 19, 2010: The Philadelphia Eagles stage a comeback against the Giants in what has become known as "Miracle at the New Meadowlands," coming back from being down 31–10 with about 8 minutes to go in the fourth quarter to win 38–31, capped off by DeSean Jackson's game winning punt return when time expired.
  • September 11, 2011: On the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, a ceremony was held prior to the game between the Jets and the Dallas Cowboys honoring the victims of the attacks.[35] The Jets defeated the Cowboys 27–24.[36]
  • December 24, 2011: The "visiting" Giants defeated the "hosting" Jets 29–14 in what was the biggest regular season match-up between the two New York teams in recent years, due to postseason implications for both sides. The victory helped propel the Giants into the playoffs while contributing significantly in eliminating the Jets from a postseason appearance.[37]
  • January 8, 2012: MetLife Stadium hosted its first NFL playoff game with the Giants defeating the Atlanta Falcons 24–2 in an NFC Wild Card game,[38] en route to their Super Bowl XLVI championship.
  • November 22, 2012: During a 49-19 blowout loss to the New England Patriots, Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez ran into the backside of teammate Brandon Moore, fumbling the ball, and leading to a Patriots touchdown, in an infamous play known as the "butt fumble".

International Soccer Matches[]

Date Team A Result Team B Tournament Attendance
May 7, 2010 Template:Country data MEX 0-0 Template:Country data ECU International Friendly (first soccer match at the stadium) 77,507
August 8, 2010 Template:Country data USA 0-2 Template:Country data BRA International Friendly 77,223
March 26, 2011 Template:Country data USA 1–1 Template:Country data ARG International Friendly 78,926
June 13, 2011 Template:Country data CRC 2-2
(2-4 on PK's)		 Template:Country data HON 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinals 78,807
Template:Country data MEX 2-1 Template:Country data GUA
June 9, 2012 Template:Country data ARG 4-3 Template:Country data BRA International Friendly 81,994
November 14, 2012 Template:Country data BRA 1–1 Template:Country data COL International Friendly 38,624
August 4, 2013 Template:Country data ESP Valencia CF 4-0 Template:Country data ITA Inter Milan 2013 International Champions Cup 39,764
Template:Country data ITA AC Milan 0-2 Template:Country data ENG Chelsea FC
August 14, 2013 Template:Country data MEX 4-1 Template:Country data CIV International Friendly 35,671
November 15, 2013 Template:Country data ARG 0-0 Template:Country data ECU International Friendly 49,165
June 10, 2014 Template:Country data POR 5–1 Template:Flaglink/core International Friendly 46,063
September 9, 2014 Template:Country data BRA 1-0 Template:Country data ECU International Friendly 35,975

Other events[]

2010 (Inaugural Year)[]

The stadium hosted an international exhibition soccer match between the United States and Brazil on August 10. Brazil won 2–0 in front of a near-sellout crowd of 77,223; the game was played on a temporary grass field.[39][40]

On Saturday, October 16, Rutgers hosted Army in the first college football game to be played in the new stadium, with the Scarlet Knights defeating the Black Knights in overtime, 23-20. During the game's second half, Rutgers player Eric LeGrand was injured on a special teams play, defending a Rutgers kickoff, and paralyzed from the neck down.

2011[]

The stadium hosted another international soccer friendly between the United States and Argentina on March 26, which ended in a 1–1 draw and was played in front of a sellout crowd of 78,926.[41]

2012[]

Another exhibition match in preparation for 2014 FIFA World Cup was played on November 14 between Colombia and Brazil, the latter one acting as the local team although with a higher affluence of Colombian fans.

On September 7, the stadium hosted the first New York's College Classic game, with the visiting USC Trojans defeating the Syracuse Orange, 42-29. Syracuse has relocated three of its home games from the Carrier Dome to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey under the banner of "New York's College Classic," losing all three games, with a fourth to be played against Notre Dame in September, 2014.

2014[]

On, September 27, Syracuse hosted Notre Dame in the their fourth New York's College Classic, which boasted 76,802 fans in attendance. Syracuse lost their fourth straight classic to a score of 31-15.

Media[]

References[]

  1. ↑ Mike, Garafolo. "Giants and Jets Break Ground on New Stadium...Finally", September 5, 2007. Retrieved on December 18, 2011. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Belson, Ken. "New Stadium, a Football Palace, Opens Saturday With Lacrosse", The New York Times Company, April 8, 2010. Retrieved on April 25, 2010. 
  3. ↑ Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–2008. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  4. ↑ New Meadowlands Stadium, USA - About us - Skanska
  5. ↑ Template:Cite press release
  6. ↑ Esteban (October 27, 2011). 11 Most Expensive Stadiums In The World. Total Pro Sports. Retrieved on September 2, 2012.
  7. ↑ Associated Press (May 25, 2010). Owners warm up to New York/New Jersey as Super Bowl XLVIII host. nfl.com. National Football League. Retrieved on May 25, 2010.
  8. ↑ Sandomir, Richard. "Kaleidoscope of Colors Coming to New Stadium", September 5, 2007. Retrieved on August 3, 2009. 
  9. ↑ "New Meadowlands Stadium Getting Ready for Soft Opening", NFL.com. Retrieved on July 19, 2010. 
  10. ↑ Rosenberg, Rebecca. "Now That's a Big 'Turnover'", September 13, 2010. Retrieved on September 14, 2009. 
  11. ↑ Vacchiano, Ralph. "Mathias Kiwanuka Concerned Over FieldTurf at Meadowlands Stadium Following Domenik Hixon Injury", August 13, 2010. Retrieved on January 23, 2014. 
  12. ↑ "Giants, Jets revise billion-dollar stadium plan", ESPN.com, March 31, 2006. Retrieved on August 3, 2009. 
  13. ↑ NJSEA About Us
  14. ↑ Muret, Don (June 2, 2008). Daktronics to get contract for Jets-Giants stadium displays. SportsBusiness Journal. Retrieved on June 2, 2008.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Meyers, Gary. "Welcome to the Meadowlands: Exclusive Tour of Giants, Jets Brand New $1.7 Billion Stadium", March 20, 2010. Retrieved on April 18, 2010. 
  16. ↑ Seward, Aron. "New Meadowlands Stadium", The Architect's Newspaper, October 15, 2010. Retrieved on October 30, 2011. 
  17. ↑ Story not found - NJ.com
  18. ↑ 351 Meadowlands Express. Coach USA. Retrieved on September 17, 2011.
  19. ↑ "N.J. Officials Launch Rail Service to Meadowlands", July 20, 2009. Retrieved on August 3, 2009. 
  20. ↑ Sandomir, Richard. "Negotiations With Allianz on Naming of Stadium", August 31, 2008. Retrieved on August 3, 2009. 
  21. ↑ Yaniv, Oren. "Giants and Jets Fans Join Uproar Over Stadium Naming Rights Bid by Firm With Holocaust Ties", September 11, 2008. Retrieved on September 11, 2008. 
  22. ↑ Sandomir, Richard. "Allianz Drops Bid for Naming Rights", September 12, 2008. Retrieved on February 28, 2010. 
  23. ↑ Lefton, Terry. "MetLife Eyes the Meadowlands", June 27, 2011. Retrieved on June 27, 2011. 
  24. ↑ Decambre, Mark. "New Meadowlands Stadium to Become MetLife Stadium", August 19, 2011. Retrieved on August 19, 2011. 
  25. ↑ Ehalt, Matthew. "MetLife Name Unveiled at Stadium", ESPN.com, August 23, 2011. Retrieved on August 23, 2011. 
  26. ↑ "MetLife Announces It Has Bought the Naming Rights to New Meadowlands Stadium for 25 Years", August 23, 2011. Retrieved on August 23, 2011. 
  27. ↑ Template:Cite press release
  28. ↑ "EPA, New Meadowlands Stadium Developers Lay Green Groundwork", Concrete Products, July 1, 2009. Retrieved on February 21, 2010. 
  29. ↑ Mehta, Manish. "Super Bowl 2014 Vote: NFL Owners Award Super Bowl XLVIII to Giants, Jets & New Meadowlands", May 25, 2010. Retrieved on May 26, 2010. 
  30. ↑ "SUPER: New Stadium Can Bid for 2014 Game", New York Jets, December 17, 2009. Retrieved on May 26, 2010. Archived from the original on April 13, 2010. 
  31. ↑ info, sports venue. New NFL Stadiums with Super Bowl Dreams. Sports-Venue Info.
  32. ↑ Vacchiano, Ralph. "New York Giants Open New Meadowlands With 31-18 Win Over Panthers, Hakeem Nicks Catches Three TDs", September 12, 2010. Retrieved on September 17, 2011. 
  33. ↑ Associated Press. NFL Game Center: Baltimore Ravens at New York Jets - 2010 Week 1. National Football League. Retrieved on August 19, 2011.
  34. ↑ Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants - Recap - November 14, 2010. ESPN.com (November 14, 2010). Retrieved on February 10, 2013.
  35. ↑ Begley, Ian. "Giants, Redskins, Jets Remember 9/11", ESPN.com, September 12, 2011. Retrieved on September 14, 2011. 
  36. ↑ NFL Game Center: Cowboys vs. Jets. National Football League (September 12, 2011). Retrieved on September 23, 2011.
  37. ↑ Giants silence tumbling Jets to move 1 win from NFC East title
  38. ↑ Eli Manning shreds Falcons, powers Giants to rematch with Packers
  39. ↑ Leonard, Pat. "Young Brazil Squad, Led by Neymar and Alexandre Pato, Dust Off Veteran U.S. at Meadowlands, 2-0", August 10, 2010. Retrieved on August 11. 
  40. ↑ "Grass Field at Meadowlands for U.S.-Brazil Soccer in August", May 28, 2010. Retrieved on August 12. 
  41. ↑ Bell, Jack. "Teenage Striker's Energy Propels U.S. to a Tie", March 26, 2011. Retrieved on March 27. 

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