Shea Stadium stood for 44 years as the proud home of the New York Mets in Flushing, Queens, opening on April 17, 1964, and hosting its final game on September 28, 2008. Built at a cost of $28.5 million and designed by the firm Praeger-Kavanagh-Waterbury, the circular, multi-purpose venue seated more than 57,000 fans for baseball and over 60,000 for football, making it one of the largest stadiums in the National League during its era.
Beyond baseball, Shea Stadium became a cultural landmark. The New York Jets called it home from 1964 to 1983, and the New York Yankees temporarily played there in 1974–75 while Yankee Stadium was being renovated. Its greatest claim to pop-culture immortality came in August 1965, when The Beatles performed the first large-scale outdoor rock concert ever held in a stadium—a moment that redefined live music. The stadium was demolished between October 2008 and February 2009 to make way for additional parking for the adjacent Citi Field.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Flushing, Queens, New York City
- Opened: April 17, 1964
- Closed: September 28, 2008
- Demolished: October 14, 2008 – February 18, 2009
- Baseball Capacity: 57,333
- Football Capacity: 60,372
- Primary Tenant: New York Mets (MLB, 1964–2008)
- Construction Cost: $28.5 million
Championships and Legendary Moments
Shea Stadium served as the stage for some of baseball’s most dramatic moments. The Mets won the World Series in 1969—the miracle ‘Amazin’ Mets’—and again in 1986, both times clinching at Shea. The stadium also hosted the 1964 MLB All-Star Game and four World Series appearances in total (1969, 1973, 1986, and 2000). Off the diamond, it welcomed Pope John Paul II in October 1979 and a string of legendary concerts, culminating in Billy Joel’s emotional ‘Last Play at Shea’ farewell shows in July 2008.
The End of an Era
As the Mets’ new home, Citi Field, rose just beyond the outfield fence, Shea Stadium’s fate was sealed. The final regular-season game was played against the Florida Marlins on September 28, 2008, with former Mets players participating in a tearful post-game ceremony. Demolition began just two weeks later and was completed by February 2009. The site was converted into parking lots serving Citi Field, though a replica of the iconic ‘Home Run Apple’ was preserved and displayed outside the new ballpark as a tribute to Shea’s legacy.
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Shea Stadium FAQs
When did Shea Stadium open and close?
Shea Stadium opened on April 17, 1964, and hosted its final game on September 28, 2008. It was demolished between October 2008 and February 2009.
Which teams played at Shea Stadium?
The New York Mets (MLB) were the primary tenant from 1964 to 2008. The New York Jets (AFL/NFL) played there from 1964 to 1983, and the New York Yankees used it temporarily in 1974–75 during Yankee Stadium renovations.
Why are The Beatles associated with Shea Stadium?
On August 15, 1965, The Beatles performed at Shea Stadium before a crowd of about 55,600 fans—widely regarded as the first major outdoor stadium rock concert in history, a milestone that transformed live music forever.
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Photo: Originally uploaded at Wikipedia (English) by Metsfan84 02:39, 29 October 2008 (UTC) 3,264×1,086 (362 KB) Metsfan84 (Taken 10/12/07) / CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.