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.
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.
Summary :
What are the different sport teams in New York? Where and when can you see them?
├ Basket-Ball - NBA
├ Basket-Ball - WNBA
├ American Football - NFL
├ Baseball - MLB
├ Ice Hockey - NHL
├ Soccer - MLS
├ Calendar
├ Map of the Stadiums
└ Conclusion
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.
New York Knicks
The NY Knicks were very famous in the 80-90' thanks to Pat Ewing and colleagues, and now with Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudmire. Even though they haven’t won a title in over 40 years, with Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudmire they’re still one of the best teams in the NBA.
*mid-June if the team makes it to the playoffs
Brooklyn Nets
Created in 1967, the Nets played for a long time in New Jersey. It was not until April 2012 when they came to Brooklyn at the flamboyant Barclays Center. Brooklyn now has a major league team, something that had not happened since the departure of the Dodgers in 1957!
*Mid-June if the team makes it to the playoffs
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.
New York Liberty
The women's team of the New York Liberty is one of the best in the WNBA. They are not as famous as the Knicks or the Nets, but they put on a show in the same way as their male colleagues.
*October if the team makes it to the playoffs
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! 😉
New York Giants
The Giants are a historic landmark in New York, they share MetLife Stadium with another football team, the New York Jets!
However both teams do not play in the same conference and only meet once every four years during the championship, for a 100% classic New York game!
*End of January if the team makes it to the playoffs
New York Jets
The Jets are a team that was created in 1960. Sadly for them, they have not won a Super Bowl since 1968! 🙂
*End of January if the team makes it to the playoffs
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.
New York Yankees
Is the baseball team with the most titles in the history of the Major League and Yankee Stadium is like no other it is THE sanctuary of baseball!
Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, and now Derek Jeter... the number of Yankees who have their name in the Hall of Fame is endless 😉
*End of October if the team makes it to the playoffs
New York Mets
New York has had three baseball teams: the Yankees, Giants and Dodgers (Brooklyn). But in 1957, the last two teams were moved to the west coast. Then in 1962 the Mets came and they now play at CitiField in Queens since 2009.
*End of October if the team makes it to the playoffs
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 !
New York Rangers
New York Rangers have only won the Stanley Cup 4 times (championship trophy). The Rangers are not the best team but the "Broadway Blueshirts" come in the top of the standings, and have thousands of fans that fill the stadium every game !
*Mid-June if the team makes it to the playoffs
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are the Rangers greatest rivals. They play about 50 miles from Manhattan in Uniondale. If you like ice hockey and the Rangers are not playing in the Garden, go see the Islanders it can be a good plan B...
*Mid-June if the team makes it to the playoffs
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.
New York Red Bulls
The New York Red Bulls, is one of the biggest clubs in the MLS. Many European players end their careers there. .
*End of November if the team makes it to the playoffs
New York City FC
The New York FC is a new team, playing for the first time in 2015. Lampard and Villa are the most famous players of the team !
*End of November if the team makes it to the playoffs
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 | |
On the calendar: :
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: :
| Matches | Environment | Entries' rates |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-season | Great | Cheaper prices |
| Regular season | Awesome! | Normal |
| Playoffs | Crazy ! | Very costly |
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! 🙂
It will be a great time and experience American culture at 100%.
