Watch an American Football Game in New York
American football is a major sport in the USA. Here's how to cheer on New York's two NFL teams: the New York Giants and the New York Jets!
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New York Loves American Football
- American football ranks among the top sports in the US, alongside the NBA basketball championship and baseball. While American football remains relatively unknown in Europe, it’s a major sport here. The term “football” refers directly to American football. European football is called “soccer” instead.
- New York stands out with two American football teams: the New York Giants and the New York Jets. New York is one of only two US cities with two teams out of the 32 that make up the NFL, the National Football League. Los Angeles is the other.
- Here’s another interesting fact: both New York teams share a single stadium, the MetLife Stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey. So the two New York teams don’t actually play in New York State—they play in neighboring New Jersey.
- The stadium opened in 2010 and holds up to 82,566 spectators. Its construction cost over $1.6 billion. The MetLife Stadium is named after MetLife, the American insurance company that also occupies the MetLife Building above Grand Central Terminal.
How Does American Football Work?
- American football rules are straightforward: two teams of 11 players each compete on a field 120 yards long (110 m) and 53.33 yards wide (48.8 m). Teams take turns on offense and defense, trying to get the oval ball across the opponent’s goal line.
- In practice, the offensive team must advance the ball at least 10 yards (9.144 m) with each attempt, called a “down.” The offense, led by the quarterback, gets four attempts to cover those 10 yards. They can go further and try to reach the end zone in one drive. The defense tries to stop the ball carrier by tackling them or intercepting a pass from the quarterback.
- If the offense gains 10 yards or more, the counter resets at that spot and they get four new attempts to gain another 10 yards. When the offense gets the ball into the end zone, they score a “touchdown.” This is followed by an extra-point attempt, similar to rugby.
- An American football game lasts 60 minutes of actual play, divided into four 15-minute quarters. In reality, plan for about 3 to 3.5 hours per game, accounting for stoppages, timeouts, and entertainment between plays. Don’t miss the mascots dancing and the cheerleaders. An American football game is a full spectacle.
New York’s NFL Teams
Although New York has two NFL teams, they rarely play each other because they compete in different conferences. The New York Giants are in the National Football Conference, while the New York Jets are in the American Football Conference. The Giants and Jets can only meet if both teams make the playoffs, the NFL championship finals.
The New York Giants: The Legendary Team
- The New York Giants were founded in 1925 in New Jersey and are one of the oldest teams in the NFL. At that time, only five teams made up the league.
- The Giants have an impressive record with four recent Super Bowl wins, the NFL championship. They won in 1987, 1991, 2008, and 2012. The last two victories came against their fierce rivals, the New England Patriots from Boston. New York hopes to one day match the Patriots’ current record of six Super Bowl titles.
- Try to catch a game against the Philadelphia Eagles, another major rival. The two teams have been competing since 1933, and the atmosphere is always electric. Don’t worry, though—American football games are family-friendly with no trouble in the stands. All the action happens on the field.
The New York Jets: The Rising Team
- The New York Jets were founded in 1959 as the New York Titans. The team took its current name in 1963. Their green uniforms earned them the nickname “Gang Green.”
- The Jets have made the playoffs 13 times since 1968, but their championship record is limited. They won the Super Bowl just once, in 1968.
- Like the Giants, the Jets are fierce rivals of the New England Patriots from Boston, whom they face more regularly since both teams are in the same conference. Games between the Jets and the Miami Dolphins are also worth watching.
Book Your Tickets for an American Football Game in New York
- First thing to know: the NFL season typically runs from early September through early January. It’s a short season.
- We offer tickets for the 2026-2027 football season. For New York Giants games, use the Giants ticket booking. For New York Jets games, visit the New York Jets page.
- Tip: tickets are priced in euros, so you save on currency exchange and bank fees. Even better, we don’t add booking fees, and there are no extra charges at the stadium.
Getting to MetLife Stadium from New York
- The catch: MetLife Stadium is in New Jersey, not New York. The good news: getting there is easy, especially by public transit.
- Take bus 160 from Port Authority Bus Terminal, at the corner of 8th Avenue and 42nd Street in Midtown. The trip takes about 40 minutes and costs $11 round-trip. Other bus combinations are available, like bus 355, which takes about 15 minutes longer. You can also take buses 163 or 164, but you’ll need to transfer.
- If you’re unsure which way to go, follow the fans. MetLife holds over 80,000 spectators per game, so you won’t be alone. You’ll have plenty of chances to chat with New Yorkers on the way. American football fans are friendly, and many wear their team jersey or scarf proudly.
- One more tip: MetLife Stadium will host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an American football game last?
An American football game has four 15-minute quarters. However, the clock only runs during actual play. In practice, an NFL game can last nearly 3 hours or more.
Can I take photos at an American football game?
Yes, you can take photos during American football games. Bring a camera or use your phone. However, tripods are not allowed.
Do children get a discount?
MetLife Stadium offers free admission for children under 86.36 cm (34 inches) tall. It’s based on height, not age. However, a child admitted free must sit on your lap and cannot occupy a separate seat. Otherwise, you need to buy a full-price ticket.
Is it safe to attend an American football game in New York?
Yes, it’s completely safe. While play on the field can be intense, like rugby in Europe, the atmosphere in the stands is friendly and peaceful. Fans of different teams banter good-naturedly. The NFL doesn’t experience the hooligan problems seen in European football. American football remains a family event. After the game, consider picking up a souvenir—a jersey, mug, or scarf.
Visitor Reviews of American Football in New York
Reviews of American football in New York from our Destination New York Facebook group
- Daniel D.: “A game at MetLife Stadium is an incredible atmosphere. I’ve been to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, and there’s no comparison—American football fans are far more passionate.”
- Christelle D.: “The energy was wild! It was truly a great experience.”
- Stéphane D.: “I took the bus to MetLife Stadium and it was very straightforward. Just leave early for the game because there are a lot of fans.”
- Sami R.: “The direct bus from Port Authority is easiest, but the return can be tricky if you stay too long at the stadium. We spent 2 hours in the cold on the parking lot because of the long queue. It’s better to leave a bit before the end, especially if the game is decided.”
- Marie-José P.: “The atmosphere is just as good outside the stadium as inside.”
- Véro L.: “It was great to experience the stadium atmosphere even though we didn’t know all the rules.”