MetLife Stadium guide: What to know about the New York Jets’ home field (2024)

Editor’s note: This article is part of theStadium Guidesseries, a comprehensive guide to your NFL team’s stadium experience.

Buy tickets on StubHub to New York Jets games at MetLife Stadium here.

It isn’t necessarily the stadium the Jets wanted — if they had their way, they would be playing on the west side of Manhattan. But it is the stadium the Jets got.

MetLife might never be truly loved by fans as a shared venue for the Jets and Giants, one that has drawn plenty of criticism over the years for reasons ranging from a staggeringly high price tag ($1.6 billion, the most expensive stadium ever built in the United States at the time of construction), interminable traffic snarls and a playing surface (changed before last season) often criticized as one of the most dangerous for players.

But it is, indisputably, a world-class stadium. Along with housing two NFL teams, MetLife hosted the only outdoor cold-weather Super Bowl ever played, international soccer games, Army-Navy football and countless megawatt concerts, all less than 10 miles outside Manhattan. And while the location has its drawbacks, for Jets fans it sustained the popular tailgating experience that might have been lost in the cramped quarters of Manhattan.

The Athletic has compiled 32 stadium guides, one for each NFL team, to give fans vital information about the game day experience. We’ve also asked readers to weigh in on the best food, beer and tailgate options at each stadium, among other things, to help football fans enjoy their visit.

Insider tips

Must-watch game at stadium: vs. Buffalo Bills, Oct. 14

The healthy return of Aaron Rodgers has Jets fans dreaming of a deep postseason run, but when you own the NFL’s longest active playoff drought, you learn to appreciate the small victories that come along the way. Arguably, the highlight of each of the past two Jets seasons came in the same annual game: The Bills’ visit to MetLife Stadium.

Buffalo has supplanted the New England Patriots as the kings of the AFC East, but that hasn’t meant anything in East Rutherford, where the Jets defense has had its way against Josh Allen. Two seasons ago, Gang Green outlasted the Bills behind that defense and a steady Zach Wilson, pulling off a 20-17 upset. And everyone remembers the 2023 opener on a Monday night when, after Rodgers went down with a season-ending Achilles injury, the Jets scratched and clawed their way back into it, finishing the job in dramatic fashion with Xavier Gipson’s walkoff punt return touchdown in overtime. Weather-wise, mid-October is typically perfect — no need to bundle up for this Monday night matchup in New Jersey.

Fan tradition to know: ‘J-E-T-S, Jets!, Jets!, Jets!’

It’s easy to remember, simple to spell and absolutely ubiquitous at any Jets home game.

feels good to hear this chant again 😎 pic.twitter.com/xq49WGj3nm

— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 24, 2024

The chant was born in the 1970s when the team was still playing at Shea Stadium in Queens, and it traveled with the team to the Meadowlands. It’s been popularized for a new generation by celebrity fan Ed Anzalone (better known as “Fireman Ed”).

Zack Rosenblatt’s favorite thing

The best part about MetLife Stadium is what sits next to MetLife Stadium: the American Dream mall. The second-biggest mall in America — easily accessible from MetLife thanks to a pedestrian walkway — stocked with the kind of high-end stores and food options any fan could appreciate. There’s an indoor theme park, water park and a ski slope, too. If you’re looking for positives within the confines of MetLife Stadium: The sightlines are good from any seat, and the tailgating in the stadium lots is high-quality.

The Athletic’s stadium ranking: 25

When The Athletic polled writers for their takes on the best and worst stadiums in the NFL, the lack of enthusiasm for MetLife Stadium wasn’t a shocker. MetLife is still relatively new, but the enormous price tag ($1.6 billion), and the travel time to and from the world-class city the Jets (and Giants) nominally call home, are considered major drawbacks.

Fans’ game day advice

The Athletic surveyed NFL fans for their feedback on the following questions:

What is the ‘best bang for your buck’ seating section?

I’ve sat in all three bowls (100s, 200s, 300s), but prefer to sit in the 200 level behind one of the end zones, usually between sections 221 and 231. Sections 224B to 228B are usually priced around the cheapest seats in the stadium, and they are covered by the upper deck in case rain is in the forecast. If you go to MetLife Stadium, I’d recommend sitting there. — Michael M.

If you buy individual game seats from a ticket exchange, look for overhang seats. There aren’t many in the stadium and nobody wants to sit in a nasty rainstorm. — Jeff F.

What’s the can’t-miss food?

From NJ.com’s MetLife Stadium food stand rankings: The Stadium Gyro. Football screams Greek street food, doesn’t it? I did not expect this to be the best thing I tasted all day, but it absolutely was. The pita was soft and fluffy, the vegetables crisp and the tzatziki was creamy and surprisingly flavorful. But it was the beef that sealed the deal. The beef was ground — not the typical slices of meat you’ll see in a gyro — but this made for even bites and a streamlined dining experience, and tasted so good I had to stop myself from eating too much. They have a chicken option as well (no lamb), for the same $12.

You can get good pastrami sandwiches! — John M.

What’s the best beer option?

The best beer option is found on the second level in a bar. It used to be run by Blue Point but last season it was Negro Modelo. Good place to go to stay out of the rain, too. — Anonymous

What are the kid-friendly activities/options at the stadium?

From City Dads Group: Before you head into the game, be sure to stop by Jets Island located between the Verizon and MetLife gates. The island opens a few hours before kickoff, is free for all fans and features a GenJets Kids Zone with special activities, inflatables, football toss, photo opportunities and more.

Where is the best place to tailgate?

Come to J9 tailgate. All you can eat and drink for $30. Plus there are great Jets fans who aren’t miserable. — Gsette

What to know if you go

Stadium address: 1 MetLife Stadium Dr., East Rutherford, N.J. 07073.

Year opened: 2010.

Roof: No.

Playing surface: FieldTurf Core HD.

Stadium capacity: 82,500.

2023 average attendance per game (per Pro Football Reference): 77,890.

Tickets: $235 is the average StubHub ticket cost at MetLife Stadium for a 2024 New York Jets game, according to StubHub.

Bag policy: Bags made of clear plastic, vinyl or PVC that are no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches are allowed. Non-clear bags that are no larger than 4 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches and are about the size of a hand are permitted. These bags can be carried with or without a strap or hand. Other bags that are allowed include one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags, binocular cases and camera cases. Official NFL team logo clear plastic tote bags are also permitted. Exceptions may be made for medically necessary items after inspection.

Outside food policy: Fans can bring food of any kind in a clear plastic bag. Also permitted: Factory-sealed cans or plastic bottles of water or soft drinks that are 20 ounces or less in size as well as reusable water bottles (both plastic and aluminum) that are 20 ounces or less in size. Bottles must be empty upon entry.

ADA information: MetLife Stadium offers wheelchair/low mobility and companion seating on all levels of the stadium. It has accessible parking in Lots E, F and G with a parking pass and a valid DMV-issued license plate and/or placard for persons with a disability. The dedicated drop-off area for guests with disabilities is Lot C, located between the Verizon Gate and the HCL Tech Gate. Public ramps are available for use at the north and south end zones. Elevators for guests with disabilities are located at the HCLTech, Verizon and Moody’s entrances. All public restrooms are accessible to guests with disabilities. Service animals are permitted inside MetLife Stadium. For more ADA information, click here.

Tailgating policy: Tailgating is permitted at all MetLife Sports Complex parking lots unless otherwise designated. The use of grills and other heating devices is not allowed in the parking decks. For more details on MetLife Stadium policies, click here.

Transportation options: For Jets games, a prepaid parking pass is required for entry. The NJ Transit operates the Meadowlands Rail Service, which drops off guests at the front door of MetLife Stadium. Coach USA provides the 351 Meadowlands Express bus service from the Port Authority to the MetLife Sports Complex. Bus drop-off/pickup is in Lot K, near the Quest Diagnostics Performance Center, which may be accessed by exiting from the MetLife Gate. A designated rideshare zone is located in Lot E off West Peripheral Road, right outside the Verizon Gate.

The Stadium Guides series is part of a partnership with StubHub.

The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

(Top illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photos: Dustin Satloff / Getty Images and Matthew Ashton / AMA / Getty Images)