MetLife Stadium opened on April 10, 2010, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, replacing the longtime Giants Stadium. Built at a cost of approximately $1.6 billion — the most expensive stadium in the United States at the time of its completion — the facility spans more than 2.1 million square feet and seats 82,500, making it the largest stadium in the NFL by seating capacity.
The stadium is one of only two NFL venues shared by two franchises, housing both the New York Giants and the New York Jets. Despite sharing the same turf, the two teams maintain distinct identities: interior lighting shifts from blue for Giants games to green for Jets games, and the venue can be reconfigured between tenants in a matter of hours.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): New York Giants & New York Jets (NFL)
- Location: East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Opened: April 10, 2010
- Capacity: 82,500
- Construction Cost: ~$1.6 billion
- Playing Surface: FieldTurf CORE (installed 2023)
- Notable Event: Super Bowl XLVIII (February 2, 2014)
A Landmark in Modern Stadium Design
Designed by 360 Architecture, EwingCole, Rockwell Group, and Bruce Mau Design, MetLife Stadium set a benchmark for NFL venues when it opened in 2010. The open-air, multi-use facility was engineered with flexibility at its core — from dual-team branding systems to a sprawling 28,000-space parking complex. Unlike many newer NFL stadiums, MetLife Stadium has no roof, leaving fans fully exposed to the elements of a New York-area winter.
The stadium sits roughly five miles west of Manhattan, making it one of the most accessible major venues in the country. Seats closest to the field sit only about 46 feet from the sideline — the shortest distance of any NFL stadium — giving even lower-bowl fans an unusually intimate view of the action.
World-Stage Events and Milestones
MetLife Stadium has hosted some of the biggest events in global sports. Super Bowl XLVIII on February 2, 2014, was the first Super Bowl played at a cold-weather, open-air outdoor stadium — a historic first for the NFL. The venue also hosted WrestleMania 29 in 2013 and WrestleMania 35 in 2019, drawing hundreds of thousands of fans across both weekends.
On the international stage, the stadium served as a venue for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, including the tournament final. It is also scheduled to host matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — including the final — further cementing its reputation as one of the premier sports venues in the world.
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MetLife Stadium FAQs
How many seats does MetLife Stadium have?
MetLife Stadium has a seating capacity of 82,500, making it the largest stadium in the NFL.
Which NFL teams play at MetLife Stadium?
Both the New York Giants and the New York Jets call MetLife Stadium home, making it one of only two NFL stadiums shared by two franchises — the other being SoFi Stadium in California.
Has MetLife Stadium hosted a Super Bowl?
Yes — Super Bowl XLVIII was played at MetLife Stadium on February 2, 2014. It was the first Super Bowl held at a cold-weather, open-air outdoor stadium.
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Photo: Anthony Quintano from Hillsborough, NJ, United States / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.