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 are other sports like football, soccer, hockey, basketball, etc.
You do not have to book your tickets in a travel agency. You can easily purchase them 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 I don’t recommend it. If another person accompanies you, there is a chance you won’t be able to sit next to each other. Purchasing tickets on the day of the event can be more expensive usually because the cheaper seats have already been taken.
COVID-19 info
Seasons have been greatly altered from the pandemic and the risk of hosting large numbers of people in an open or closed venue. A semblance of a return to normalcy has been underway for the past few weeks with strict conditions for entering a stadium, accompanied by basic measures (checking temperature, wearing masks, and social distancing).
Here are the details:
Yankee Stadium
All spectators 3 years of age and older must present:
– a PCR test taken within 72 hours of the event day,
– or a rapid antigen test taken within six hours of the event start time with a negative result to enter the sports arena,
– present proof of Moderna/Pfizer/Johnson&Johnson vaccination (considered complete 2 weeks after the second dose of vaccine).
Citi Field
The requirements are the same as for Yankee Stadium. Fans will also be required to complete a health clearance document before entering the stadium.
They recommend downloading the Health Pass app by CLEAR to submit negative results.
Madison Square Garden
You have three options for entering Madison Square Garden:
– Negative antigen test results taken within 6 hours of the event start, to be done at Madison Square Garden or at one of the NY Forward Rapid Test Program facilities. The cost is $30 per test.
– Proof of Moderna/Pfizer/Johnson&Johnson vaccination (considered complete 2 weeks after the second dose of vaccine).
– Negative result with a PCR test taken within 72 hours of the event day.
Barclays Center
– Fully vaccinated Moderna/Pfizer/Johnson&Johnson (considered complete 2 weeks after the second dose of vaccine) must present proof of vaccination before entering.
– Non-vaccinated individuals may present a PCR test taken within 72 hours of the event day or an antigen test taken within 6 hours of the event start, both available at the Barclays Center at no additional cost.
– It is also possible to present a PCR test done at another facility. In this case, you must download the CLEAR application to submit your results.
BASKETBALL – 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 see an 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. Even though they haven’t won a title in over 40 years, 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.
If you do not understand it well, that’s 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. Before watching 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 outstanding 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 in 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 if 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 | |
The dates given on this table indicate the regular season and playoffs (final dates 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 won’t 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. It 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 major teams of New York City, where and when to go see them.
I do not think the main reason for your trip to New York should be watching a game (unless you are fans of one team or sport). However, if you can afford it, it’s an experience worth trying! 🙂
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