Giants Stadium

Giants Stadium History

Stadium Information:
Name: Giants Stadium
Inauguration: 10 October 1976
First match: Giants-Cowboys (NFL)
Cost: $75 million
Capacity: 80,200 seats
Address: 50 State Highway 120, East Rutherford, NJ 07073

Pictures:

Stadium Directions:
From the Lincoln Tunnel (Manhattan):
Stay on main road (I495) to Route 3 West. Keep right on Route 3 & follow the signs to the Meadowlands Sports Complex using Exit 4, Route 120. Continue following the signs.

Stadium History:
In the late 1960’s, after playing at Yankee Stadium for many years, a local sportswriter proposed an idea for a new sports complex that would include a football stadium. The New York Giants immediately became interested in getting this idea to become a reality. The team was tired of playing in run down Yankee Stadium, which they shared with the New York Yankees (MLB), and was built primarily for baseball. In August 1971, the Giants signed a 30 year lease for the new stadium. Built in the Meadowlands, across from New York City in New Jersey, construction started on the stadium in 1972. Originally scheduled to be completed by 1975, several obstacles forced the opening of the stadium to be pushed back by a year.

Named after the team, Giants Stadium opened on October 10, 1976. Over 77,000 seats in three tiers circle the entire playing field. Two scoreboard/video-boards are located above the upper deck beyond both end zones. The Giants were the primary tenant at the stadium until 1984, when the New York Jets moved from Shea Stadium to the stadium. The Jets move to Giants Stadium was not a very wise decision by the team during their first several seasons. During many Jets games, the stands were half empty, and the stadium did not have many things to make it look like the Jets home. Prior to the 2000 season, Giants Stadium had an Astroturf field, but after the 1999 season, the Astroturf was ripped up and replaced with grass. However after the 2002 season the grass field was replaced with Fieldturf. Giants Stadium has over 70 luxury suites, and also has a restaurant that can seat 2,000 people. Giants Stadium is also the host to many concerts, the NY/NJ Metro Stars (MLS), and many other events. Currently, many Giants and Jets games sellout on a regular basis. The Jets would like to have their own stadium built by the time their lease runs out at Giants Stadium in 2008.

Stadium Tickets:
Tel: (516)560-8200 (Ticket Office)
Fax: (516)560-8192 (Ticket Office)