Sports Illustrated Stadium sits in Harrison, New Jersey, about seven miles west of Lower Manhattan, and has served as a soccer-specific home since opening in March 2010. Known for most of its history as Red Bull Arena, the 25,000-seat venue took on its current name in December 2024 after the New York Red Bulls signed a 13-year naming rights agreement with Sports Illustrated Tickets.
Designed by Rossetti Architects and built for about $200 million, the stadium was constructed specifically for soccer, with tight sightlines and a curved tension-fabric roof canopy that helps trap crowd noise. It remains one of the loudest venues in Major League Soccer and has hosted the New York Red Bulls, Gotham FC of the NWSL, and international friendlies and youth tournaments.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): New York Red Bulls (MLS), Gotham FC (NWSL)
- Location: Harrison, New Jersey
- Opened: March 20, 2010
- Capacity: 25,000
- Architect: Rossetti Architects
- Construction cost: about $200 million
- Notable fact: Sixth-largest soccer-specific stadium in the U.S., with a roof canopy that is the largest in MLS
A Soccer-First Design
Unlike many MLS venues built inside larger multi-purpose stadiums, Sports Illustrated Stadium was designed from the ground up as a soccer-specific facility. Every seat angles toward the Kentucky Bluegrass pitch, and the stadium’s curved, tension-fabric exterior shell wraps a roof canopy that amplifies crowd noise, giving the venue a reputation as one of MLS’s most intense atmospheres on match day.
The stadium opened on March 20, 2010, with a friendly between the Red Bulls and Brazilian club Santos FC, which the home side won 3-1. Groundbreaking had taken place years earlier, in September 2006, with Hunter Roberts Construction Group serving as general contractor on the roughly $200 million project.
From Red Bull Arena to Sports Illustrated Stadium
For most of its existence the venue was called Red Bull Arena, reflecting the energy drink company’s ownership of the New York Red Bulls. That changed in December 2024, when the club announced a 13-year naming rights partnership with Sports Illustrated Tickets, and the new Sports Illustrated Stadium branding and signage was in place for the 2025 season.
Beyond Red Bulls matches, the venue has also hosted Gotham FC of the NWSL since 2020 and has drawn attendance as high as roughly 26,500 for marquee events such as SheBelieves Cup matches, exceeding its listed capacity.
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Sports Illustrated Stadium FAQs
Why was Red Bull Arena renamed Sports Illustrated Stadium?
In December 2024, the New York Red Bulls signed a 13-year naming rights deal with Sports Illustrated Tickets, and the venue was rebranded as Sports Illustrated Stadium with new signage in place for the 2025 season. Sports Illustrated Tickets separately took over as the stadium’s ticketing provider starting with the 2026 season.
What is the capacity of Sports Illustrated Stadium?
The stadium seats 25,000, though it has drawn crowds of roughly 26,500 for high-demand events like SheBelieves Cup matches.
Which teams play at Sports Illustrated Stadium?
It is the home venue of Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls and the NWSL’s Gotham FC.
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Photo: Sam Szapucki / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.