More about: American Football in New York
Have you ever experienced the excitement and electric atmosphere that American football brings to New York? Attending an NFL game is one of the most thrilling experiences you can have during a trip to the city.
The city’s two biggest American football teams are the New York Giants and the New York Jets. Grab your tickets and get ready to enjoy the United States’ most popular sport live and in style. You’ll have a blast!
How do I buy American football tickets?
American football is the most popular sport in the United States, and tickets for games sell out months in advance. If you want to catch an American football game during your trip to New York, I recommend buying your tickets before you travel. To do so, visit the Hellotickets website to see the full selection. Also, keep the following tips in mind:
- Demand is high for American football games in New York, so tickets typically sell out quickly. The key is to buy them as early as possible to secure the best seats in the stadium at a lower price.
- Since the American ticket market is dynamic, prices rise as the game date approaches and availability decreases (just like with flights, for example). If you wait too long, you run the risk of missing out on tickets or only finding a few at a high price in sections with less-than-spectacular views.
- Plus, when you buy American football tickets online, you can choose the seat you like best yourself. In my opinion, this is the fastest, easiest, and safest option.
- Buying American football tickets at the box office means you’ll have to do it while you’re in New York, which means you’ll have to work around the box office hours, travel to the stadium, and wait in a very long line to buy them.
- If you buy American football tickets at the box office, you’ll be doing so months after you could have purchased them from home. As a result, there will be far fewer seats available, and they may be priced exorbitantly. Or they may have sold out entirely due to the high demand for NFL games.
Tickets for the New York Giants
The New York Giants play their home games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, about 30 minutes from Manhattan. With a capacity of over 82,000, it’s one of the NFL’s iconic stadiums. Buying New York Giants tickets in advance usually gives you access to better seats and prices.
Key New York Giants Games
If you’re traveling to New York and want to experience the NFL, check the Giants’ schedule and pay special attention to these games:
NFC East divisional games:
- Dallas Cowboys: one of the NFL’s most historic rivalries and one of the most anticipated games each season.
- Philadelphia Eagles: an Eastern Conference classic, usually intense and with a great atmosphere in the stands.
- Washington Commanders: An important divisional matchup, especially if both teams are still in contention for a playoff spot.
Notable NFC rivals:
- San Francisco 49ers: One of the conference’s most competitive teams in recent years.
- Arizona Cardinals: An NFC West rival and an exciting matchup showcasing a very physical conference.
- Detroit Lions: a tough matchup against one of the NFC’s top teams.
Interconference matchups against the AFC South:
- Tennessee Titans
- Houston Texans
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Indianapolis Colts
For those who want to see the Giants in New York, the most notable home games at MetLife Stadium on the 2026 schedule are against the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders, San Francisco 49ers, and Philadelphia Eagles.
New York Jets Tickets
Like the Giants, the New York Jets play at MetLife Stadium. We recommend purchasing tickets for the Jets as soon as possible to ensure availability.
Key New York Jets Games
Check out the Jets’ schedule and keep an eye out for these standout games at MetLife:
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AFC East Division Games in New York:
- Miami Dolphins (a heated divisional rivalry)
- Buffalo Bills (a direct divisional rival and one of the most important games on the schedule)
- New England Patriots (a classic divisional matchup against an NFL powerhouse)
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Conference Rivals (AFC) in New York:
- Cleveland Browns (AFC rival and an intriguing home game)
- Las Vegas Raiders (interconference matchup against an AFC West team)
- Denver Broncos (AFC West rival at MetLife Stadium)
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Interconference Matchups (NFC) in New York:
- Green Bay Packers (legendary franchise and one of the most appealing games for visiting fans)
- Minnesota Vikings (interconference matchup against an appealing NFC rival)
Where to watch an NFL game in New York?
Both the Giants and the Jets share the same stadium. They both play at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, located just 30 minutes west of Manhattan.
- Where?: 1 MetLife Stadium Dr, East Rutherford, NJ 07073, United States.
- How to get there: You can reach the stadium by public transportation by taking the Meadowlands Express 351 bus operated by Coach USA Bus Service, which departs from Port Authority for MetLife Stadium on game days and arrives there in approximately 30 minutes. To purchase your bus tickets, go directly to the Coach USA ticket counters.
Where can I buy tickets to see the NFL in New York?
The best way to get your NFL tickets and enjoy a great American football game is online, since going to MetLife Stadium to try your luck at finding remaining tickets shortly before the games isn’t really advisable.
You can buy your tickets online at the Hellotickets website, for both the New York Jets and the New York Giants.
How much do NFL football tickets cost in New York?
The price of a ticket for an NFL game in New York ranges from 20 to 1,500€. This range depends on several factors:
- The teams playing.
- The seat location in the stadium.
- The time of the season when the game is held.
- How far in advance you buy the tickets.
Which seat should you choose at the stadium?
MetLife Stadium is a new and large venue. Generally speaking, there are no bad seats in the stadium, and no matter where you sit, you’ll feel the amazing atmosphere and excitement that this sport brings. However, when choosing a good seat in the stadium, the key is to strike a balance between a great seat and your budget.
If you’re a big American football fan and want to see the plays and players up close, I recommend spending a little extra money on good seats. The experience is well worth it!
In any case, if you have questions about the view from each section, when you buy NFL tickets online, you’ll see a photo on the screen showing the exact view from each seat so you know what to expect from each seat. Ultimately, the price of NFL tickets depends on how close you are to the field.
What’s the NFL season like in New York?
One of the things that sets the NFL apart from other major U.S. sports leagues is the apparent parity among its 32 teams. In other words, every team has a real chance of winning, which makes the NFL even more exciting.
If you’re wondering how the NFL season works, you should know that the 32 teams participating in the National Football League are divided into two conferences—the NFC (National Football Conference) and the AFC (American Football Conference)—each consisting of 16 teams.
Throughout the year, there are many key dates on the NFL calendar to keep in mind:
Training Camps (late July)
Before the preseason games begin, NFL teams gather at various American universities for a few weeks to train and prepare for their first exhibition games.
Preseason (August)
The preseason takes place in August, and NFL teams play between five and eight exhibition games before the regular season begins. American football tickets are usually cheaper for these games.
Regular Season (September–January)
The NFL regular season currently spans 18 weeks, with a total of 272 games. Each team plays 17 games and has one bye week, facing opponents from its own division as well as several interdivisional and interconference matchups. During the regular season, it’s a good idea to mark several key dates on your calendar:
- Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November): The NFL traditionally schedules three games for this major U.S. holiday.
- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (December 24–25): The NFL usually schedules a few games during these dates, especially when they fit well into the league’s weekly schedule. It’s a great time to combine American football with the Christmas season in New York.
- The NFL All-Star Game: Also known as the Pro Bowl Games, it is held before the Super Bowl and brings together some of the best players from the AFC and NFC. In recent years, it has moved away from being a traditional contact game and now combines skill challenges with a flag football match.
The NFL Playoffs (January – early February)
After the regular season games, the top teams from each conference qualify for the NFL Playoffs. Currently, a total of 14 teams advance: 7 from the AFC and 7 from the NFC. In each conference, the four division champions and three Wild Card teams qualify.
The first round is the Wild Card Round, in which six teams per conference compete. The top team in each conference—that is, the No. 1 seed in the AFC and the No. 1 seed in the NFC—receives a bye in this round and advances directly to the Divisional Round. Next come the Conference Championship Games, which determine the AFC and NFC champions who then face off in the Super Bowl.
At this stage of the competition, teams put it all on the line in single-elimination games, and only the best remain. The games become even more exciting, if that’s possible, and the price of NFL Playoff tickets goes up, but the spectacle is absolutely worth it.
The Super Bowl (February)
It’s the game every team dreams of winning! In the Super Bowl, the champions of the National Football Conference and the American Football Conference face off to claim victory in a decisive single-game showdown. The entire country comes to a standstill to watch the sporting event of the year, and it’s almost like a national holiday.
- How long does the Super Bowl last?: The grand finale can last approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes—slightly longer than regular-season games—because this game features a major musical halftime show that extends the duration.
Naturally, Super Bowl tickets are the most expensive of the season because everyone wants to be there to witness this epic game. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Game day is here!
When should you head to the stadium?
MetLife Stadium is located in New Jersey, quite a distance from downtown New York, so on game day , I recommend you leave well in advance to avoid being late in case of any unexpected delays on the bus ride to the stadium. Aim to arrive at least one hour before kickoff.
Plus, that way you’ll have some time to walk around the area, visit the team store, find your seats, or grab a snack. You’ll get a feel for the pre-game atmosphere and see how the stadium gradually fills up. One of the most exciting moments is when the players take the field: the stadium roars, and the fans welcome them like true heroes!
Can you eat inside the stadium?
That’s right— inside MetLife Stadium, there are plenty of food carts selling sandwiches, pizza, tacos, and more. There’s a wide variety, though prices are a bit higher than outside.
However, you can also bring food into the stadium in clear plastic bags, along with water bottles or soft drinks of 0.59 liters or less, as long as they’re factory-sealed.
Can you bring backpacks or cameras into the stadium?
- According to MetLife Stadium policy, each fan may enter the stadium with one clear bag measuring 30 x 15 x 30 cm or less. Small purses or clutches measuring 11.4 x 16.5 cm or less are also permitted. All bags, purses, and clutches will be thoroughly inspected by security personnel before entry.
- As for cameras and video cameras, MetLife Stadium policy states that those with lenses longer than 6 inches are not permitted. Cameras with lenses 6 inches or shorter are allowed. GoPro cameras are also permitted, provided their use does not interfere with other spectators’ enjoyment of the event.
- Tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks are not permitted inside the stadium.
Useful Information for Watching the NFL
How long does an NFL game last?
An NFL game can last almost 3 hours. The Super Bowl can last up to 4 hours, including the halftime show.
Do children have to pay for admission?
According to MetLife Stadium’s admission policy, children up to 34" (86.36 cm) tall can enter the stadium for free, but they must sit on the lap of an adult who has their own ticket. Additionally, MetLife Stadium does not allow strollers or diaper bags inside.
What other sporting events are there in New York?
If you’re a sports fan and want to attend another event during your vacation in New York, I recommend other options such as:
- The NBA: The season runs from early October through June, culminating in the NBA Finals. In New York, you can watch the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets play. In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to buy tickets to NBA games in New York.
- The NHL: The ice hockey season runs from October through April. You can watch the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders play in the Big Apple.
- MLB: The baseball season runs from April through early November, culminating in the World Series. In New York, you can watch the New York Yankees and the New York Mets play. In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to buy tickets to see MLB games in New York.