The National Football League season will soon kick off for the New York Giants and New York Jets. NFL games are among the signature sporting events in the United States; if you want to see New York’s teams in action, we’ve got all the info you need.
Team Cheat Sheet
Team
New York Giants (tickets)
New York Jets (tickets)
Year founded
1925
1960
Home stadium
MetLife Stadium
MetLife Stadium (yep, the same one)
Championships*
Pre–Super Bowl: 1927, 1934, 1938, 1956; Super Bowl: 1986, 1990, 2007, 2011
1968
Historic great
Frank Gifford, MVP running back turned popular broadcaster
Joe Namath—“Broadway Joe”—the flamboyant quarterback who put the team on the map
Sample moment of agony
Against the Eagles in 1978, the Giants lose after botching a handoff on a late play instead of having the quarterback kneel down. The ’78 team never recovered from the loss.
Close to toppling the Dolphins in a crucial 1994 game, the Jets fall for a fake Dan Marino spike that leads to a game-winning touchdown.
Sample moment of triumph
Aided by David Tyree’s incredible one-handed (plus helmet) catch, the Giants best the undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Take that, Tom Brady.
Though virtually no experts believed in them, the Jets—then from the upstart AFL—back up Namath’s guarantee and beat the heavily favored Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.
Do they serve beer at the games?
Yeah.
Uh huh.
How Do I Get There?
MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is easy to reach from Manhattan on game days. Buses with direct service to the arena leave from Port Authority Bus Terminal; to get there by train, buy combination tickets from Penn Station or various Long Island Rail Road stops. For ticket information, visit mta.info.
What’s Tailgating?
Fans of NFL teams often congregate in the parking lot before games to cook, eat, drink and hang out. Even if you don’t drive to the game, you can still take in this unique element of American sports culture. For details about tailgating rules and restrictions, visit metlifestadium.com.
Anything Else I Should Know?
Like virtually all large stadiums and arenas, MetLife Stadium has a long list of rules—many pertaining to security. For details on what types of bags and items you may and may not bring into the venue, visit metlifestadium.com. Doing this research beforehand will likely make for a smoother game-day experience.
And have fun.