MetLife Stadium is the 82,500-seat home the New York Giants and New York Jets share in East Rutherford, New Jersey — the largest stadium in the NFL and one of only two in the league split between two franchises. It’s also having a landmark week: on July 19, 2026, it becomes the first venue in the New York/New Jersey area ever to host a FIFA World Cup final.
Whether you’re headed to a game or just want the full picture, this guide covers everything from seating and parking to the bag policy, tickets, and how to actually get there — plus the record-setting events, from Super Bowl XLVIII to the upcoming World Cup final, that have made MetLife one of the most important venues in American sports.
Quick Answer
MetLife Stadium seats 82,500 and is the largest stadium in the NFL, shared by the New York Giants and New York Jets in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Tickets go through Ticketmaster and the stadium box office, parking runs roughly $40-$50 per car on NFL game days via prepaid permit, and the venue enforces the NFL’s clear-bag policy at every gate.
Planning Your Visit: Tickets, Parking & Bag Policy
Tickets for Giants and Jets games, concerts, and international soccer matches are sold through Ticketmaster, MetLife Stadium’s official ticketing partner, and through the on-site box office (open weekdays on non-event days, located at the West VIP Lobby). All tickets are mobile-only through the Ticketmaster app — printed tickets generally aren’t accepted. Pricing swings widely by event and section: sideline lower-bowl seats near midfield command the highest prices, while upper-deck and end-zone seats are the most affordable entry point.
Parking is spread across roughly 27,500 spaces in lettered lots surrounding the stadium. For NFL games, parking must be prepaid in advance, and permits can be added when you buy your tickets. Passes come in a few formats: QR code permits can be displayed directly on your phone at the lot entrance, while barcode and hang-tag permits need to be printed or hung from the rearview mirror. Prices vary by lot and proximity to the gates. Tailgating is allowed in most lots unless posted otherwise, making the parking areas as much a part of gameday as the seats inside.
The stadium follows the NFL’s standard clear-bag policy: one clear bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, or a small clutch bag up to 4.5″ x 6.5″, plus a one-gallon clear freezer bag are all permitted. Backpacks, non-clear purses, diaper bags, and briefcases are turned away at the gate, though a bag check is available near each entrance for oversized items. Because exact hours, current prices, and event-specific rules change throughout the year, always confirm details on the official MetLife Stadium Plan Your Visit page before you go.
Seating Chart & Best Seats
MetLife Stadium’s lower-bowl sideline seats sit just 46 feet from the field at the 50-yard line — the shortest sideline distance of any NFL stadium — giving even mid-priced lower-level seats an unusually close view of the action. Sections in the 100s along both sidelines, roughly between the 40-yard lines, are considered the premium sightline zone for football, while corner and upper-deck sections offer a full-field view at a lower price.
Because the Giants and Jets share the exact same bowl, seat locations and section numbers stay consistent between teams — only the lighting, branding, and turf markings change on gameday. For concerts and soccer matches, the field-level configuration shifts, so it’s worth checking the event-specific interactive seating chart on the official site before choosing seats.
Getting to MetLife Stadium
The stadium’s address is One MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford, NJ 07073 — about 8 miles west of Manhattan and roughly 10 miles from Newark Liberty International Airport via the New Jersey Turnpike. Driving is common, but traffic around the Meadowlands Sports Complex backs up fast before kickoff.
For fans without a car, NJ Transit runs special event trains from New York Penn Station to Secaucus Junction, connecting directly to the Meadowlands Rail Station just steps from the stadium — about a 10-minute ride from Secaucus. Coach USA’s 351 Meadowlands Express bus also runs directly from the Port Authority Bus Terminal to the stadium for NFL games and other major events.
A Landmark in Modern Stadium Design
Designed by 360 Architecture, EwingCole, Rockwell Group, and Bruce Mau Design, MetLife Stadium opened on April 10, 2010, replacing the longtime Giants Stadium at a construction cost of roughly $1.6 billion — the most expensive stadium in the U.S. at the time. The open-air facility has no roof, leaving fans exposed to the full range of a New York-area winter, and was built with dual-team flexibility baked in: interior lighting shifts blue for Giants games and green for Jets games, and the building can be reconfigured between tenants in a matter of hours.
At 82,500 seats, it remains the largest stadium in the NFL by capacity, and its 2.1-million-square-foot footprint made it a benchmark for the wave of shared and multi-purpose NFL venues that followed, including SoFi Stadium — the league’s only other two-team stadium.
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 ever played at a cold-weather, open-air stadium — a first for the NFL. The venue also hosted WrestleMania 29 in 2013 and WrestleMania 35 in 2019, each drawing well over 80,000 fans.
On the international stage, MetLife hosted the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final on July 13, 2025, where Chelsea beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-0. That was a dress rehearsal for an even bigger moment: MetLife Stadium is set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on July 19, 2026, between Argentina and Spain — the first World Cup final ever played in the New York/New Jersey area, and the first World Cup final to feature a live halftime show. Between the Super Bowl, WrestleMania, and back-to-back FIFA finals, few stadiums anywhere have hosted this concentration of marquee sporting events in such a short span.
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.
What is the bag policy at MetLife Stadium?
MetLife Stadium follows the NFL’s clear-bag policy: one clear bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a small clutch bag up to 4.5″ x 6.5″, or a one-gallon clear freezer bag are allowed. Backpacks and non-clear bags are not permitted, though a paid bag check is available near the gates.
How much does parking cost at MetLife Stadium?
Parking prices vary by lot, distance to the stadium, and event, and for NFL games must be prepaid in advance. Check the official MetLife Stadium site for current event-specific pricing before you go.
Is MetLife Stadium hosting the 2026 World Cup final?
Yes. MetLife Stadium is scheduled to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on July 19, 2026, between Argentina and Spain — the first World Cup final ever held in the New York/New Jersey area.
What’s the best way to get to MetLife Stadium without driving?
Take NJ Transit from New York Penn Station to Secaucus Junction, then transfer to the special event train to Meadowlands Rail Station, a short walk from the stadium. Coach USA’s 351 Meadowlands Express bus also runs direct from the Port Authority Bus Terminal for major events.
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