What are the different sport teams in New York? Where and when can you see them?

If you are a fan of sports or just curious about the American love for sports, you can enjoy it in New York!

Every game of any sport in the United States becomes a real party, with lots of great shows both on the court and off the court. There are a lot of different activities like DJ’s, and cheerleaders to justify the price of admission. Attending Madison Square Garden or Yankee Stadium you get to experience American culture and the real value of sports.

It is important to know the seasons of each sport to catch the game you would like to see or the team that best interests you.
For example if you would like to attend a baseball game, the best time in New York would be between April and October for the MLB championship season. Any other time of the year there is other sports like football, soccer, hockey, basketball etc.

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You do not have to book your tickets in a travel agency. They can easily be purchased on Ticketnework.
Once you’ve booked your tickets, you can receive them by e-mail, and print them out before traveling to New York
You can also buy your tickets at the stadium box office, but not recommended. If you’re accompanied by another person there is a chance you won’t be able to sit next to each other. Purchasing tickets the day of the event can be more expensive usually because the cheaper seats have already been taken.

BASKET-BALL – NBA

The National Basketball Association is the best basketball league in the world!
Every basketball player’s dream is to play along with Michael Jordan or “Magic” Johnson in the NBA. Well, if you can’t play, at least go see a NBA game it’s a great experience.

BASKET-BALL – WNBA (Women)

Since 1997, the NBA has had a women’s league (WNBA) they put on high-quality games and a great atmosphere.

FOOTBALL – NFL

It is typically an American sport that is not played much in other countries. It may be because other countries are not accustomed to the rules of the sport. But do not worry, if you choose to attend a football game, you could boast about your knowledge of the rules by reading this article: Understanding the rules of football, prepared by a member of the community of the New York City travelers NYCTT.
If you still do not understand it well, thats not a problem. I guarantee that the atmosphere in the stadium is so great you will not regret going to the stadium! 😉

BASEBALL – MLB

It is another sport that’s mostly played in America, with many Latin players.
It is a sport that is a bit complicated to understand at first glance. To appreciate the game, it is necessary to know the rules to avoid getting lost in the action. Before going to watch a game, I recommend reading the basic rules explained, again, by Stéphane in this article.

Ice Hockey – NHL

The NHL hockey league is combined with Canada and the United States. It is one of the best leagues in sports, with very good players. The keeper of the New York Rangers is Henrik Lundqvist from Sweden, considered the best goalkeeper in the world. He has the highest salary of the profession, with 8.5 million dollars !

SOCCER – MLS

“Soccer” is how Americans call football. Football and soccer are very different.
I’m just telling in case you’re not familiar with the difference 😉
Americans are becoming more interested in soccer than ever before, that was very clear during the last world cup.

Calendar

Each sport has different seasons. To help, I prepared this calendar that will let you know what to see during your stay in New York.
Then click on the team logo to access the online booking portal Ticketnework.

JANUARY	Basket-ball – NBA
	Football – NFL
	Ice Hockey – NHL
FEBRUARY	Basket-ball – NBA
	Ice Hockey – NHL
MARCH	Basket-ball – NBA
	Ice Hockey – NHL
	Soccer – MLS
APRIL	Baseball – MLB
	Basket-ball – NBA
	Ice Hockey – NHL
	Soccer – MLS
MAY	Baseball – MLB
	Basket-ball – NBA
	Ice Hockey – NHL
	Soccer – MLS
JUNE	Baseball – MLB
	Basket-ball – WNBA
	Ice Hockey – NHL
	Soccer – MLS
JULY	Baseball – MLB
	Basket-ball – WNBA
	Soccer – MLS
AUGUST	Baseball – MLB
	Basket-ball – WNBA
	Soccer – MLS
	Tennis – WTA
SEPTEMBER	Baseball – MLB
	Basket-ball – WNBA
	Football – NFL
	Soccer – MLS
	Tennis – WTA
OCTOBER	Baseball – MLB
	Basket-ball – NBA
	Football – NFL
	Ice Hockey – NHL
	Soccer – MLS
NOVEMBER	Basket-ball – NBA
	Football – NFL
	Ice Hockey – NHL
	Soccer – MLS
DECEMBER	Basket-ball – NBA
	Football – NFL
	Ice Hockey – NHL

The dates given on this table indicate the regular season and playoffs (final dates are known at the end of the regular season).
If a team does not qualify for the playoffs, you can not go to watch them.

For example, if you anticipate going to New York in May, you will see the Knicks or Nets if they get to the NBA playoffs, but if they don’t make it then you wont be able to see them.

The price of tickets depends on where the seats are in the stadium, but during the playoffs all seats are more expensive than during the regular season.

You could also go see pre-season games a month before the start of the championship. These games, called “pre-season games” (“spring training” in baseball), allow teams to train and improve their strategies. These are less expensive games, since competition is tough and they are trying to earn a spot, this is when the starters and the “rookies” have to prove how good they are. They can be more interesting than games of the regular season.
The best part about that is that the rate is cheaper. If you have a tight budget, this may be the best option 😉

Summary: :

Map of the stadiums

Conclusion

You know the main teams of NewYork, where and when to go see them.
I do not think the main reason for your trip to New York should be going to watch a game (unless you are fans of one team or sport). However, if you can afford it, its an experience worth trying! 🙂

Memo

My fist trip to New York was in 2007 when I was working for an airline company. I was born in the US, I lived in Mexico, in Europe in between Belgium, Spain and France… Well, let’s say I know about travelling! I bring my experience of NYC to the blog, to provide the best travel tips you could imagine!