Last Updated on August 13, 2023
With nine professional teams across a wide breadth of sports, New York City has much to offer traveling sports fans. You could even argue that the city is the sports capital of the US.
Home to the famous New York Yankees along with US Open tennis grand slam tournament and the world’s biggest marathon, the sporting calendar is never empty.
There are some very worthwhile stadium tours, from Metlife to Madison Square Garden, with a great chance to see behind the scenes of these world-famous iconic stadiums.
However you plan your itinerary, you can’t go wrong in New York City if you have a passion for sports.
International Sporting Events, NYC
1. US Open Tennis
Held over two weeks from late August into September, the US Open, one of four Grand Slams, is the biggest annual international sporting event in New York City.
For 14 days you’ll have the chance to see the world’s best tennis players here in Flushing Meadows, at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Choose between the main court, one of the biggest tennis stadiums in the world, or roam the grounds to see multiple matches throughout the day, a great option for budget travelers.
Getting to Flushing Meadows is easy thanks to New York’s well-connected subway system.
Find your way onto the Number 7 line, which will take you right to the action.
You can learn more about the US Open here.
2. New York City Marathon
The New York City Marathon is one of the most iconic marathons worldwide and worth attending whether it be as a runner or spectator.
Stand among the crowd to experience an uplifting sporting event that is as much about competition as it is about celebrating the human spirit and willpower.
The race is normally held on the first Sunday of November every year.
You can sign up for the race right here below:
Official website: NYC Marathon.
Domestic Events
1. American Football (NFL)
One of just two cities in the United States to have two pro teams in each of the four major USA sporting leagues, New York City is a sporting mecca.
NYC has two NFL teams and these are the Giants and the Jets.
At this time both play in the Metlife Stadium, a stadium which interestingly, is actually located on the other side of the Hudson River, in New Jersey.
Nevertheless, one of the best sporting experiences to be had in NYC is to watch one of these two teams play.
2. Basketball
New York City is a veritable hotbed for basketball, home to two NBA teams and the WNBA’s New York Liberty.
The Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets are worldwide franchises with a popularity that reaches globally.
The New York Knicks play out of the iconic Madison Square Garden and come with a storied history.
As for the Nets, they moved from New Jersey to Brooklyn in 2012 but quickly became a part of local culture.
The NBA season runs from October to May, with tonnes of games on (82 in all for the regular season) meaning plenty of opportunities to watch either team live.
3. Baseball
NY Mets – For a truly New York sporting experience, then you must see the NY Mets live in person at Citi Field Stadium.
The stunning stadium is one to behold, and even if you aren’t a fan of baseball, the experience is equally about culture as it is about sport.
Sit among the bleachers as some of baseball’s most passionate fans ride the wave of emotions across all nine innings.
Venue: Citi Field, Queens.
Tickets: New York Mets tickets.
NY Yankees – The New York Yankees are one of the most followed baseball teams in MLB and their rivalry with the Boston Red Sox is arguably the most ferocious in American sporting history.
Fans of the New York Yankees refer to the team as the ‘Yanks’ or ‘the Bronx Bombers.’ The New York Yankees have boasted baseball legends such as:
- Joe DiMaggio
- Babe Ruth
- Lou Gehrig
- and Mickey Mantle.
Regular tours are conducted of the Yankees stadium and you can get tickets for matches via the Yankees Tickets via the official website.
4. Ice Hockey
Manhattan is home to the New York Rangers, but not too far away are the New Jersey Devils and the Long Island Islanders.
Take your pick of all three to experience some exciting hockey while in town.
For the best experience, however, it’s hard to pass up on the chance to sit in Madison Square Garden and watch the Rangers live.
Wearing their famous red, white, and blue jerseys, the team has a loyal fanbase that shows up through thick and thin.
The New York Rangers regularly has one of the highest payrolls in the NHL, so you can always expect to see many of the best players in the world on the ice.
5. MLS Soccer (Association Football)
Although New York technically has two football teams in Major League Soccer, only one plays within the Burroughs of the city.
New York City FC, owned by City Football Group (of Manchester City fame), split their home games between Yankee Stadium and Citi Field (home of the New York Mets).
Their major rivals are, of course, the New York Red Bulls.
Originally known as the MetroStars, the team has been playing in the MLS since the league’s first season in 1996.
They play out of Red Bull Arena in New Jersey, a 30-minute drive from downtown Manhattan.
Stadiums and Museums
1. Madison Square Garden
Apart from going to see a live sports event in this world-famous arena, consider also doing a guided tour of the arena.
It’s a fascinating tour that includes an explanation of how staff can transform the basketball court into an ice hockey rink and back again multiple times per week.
Also, get to go into the players’ locker rooms where the Knicks and the Rangers warm up before their big games and see behind the scenes.
2. Yankee Stadium
The original Yankee Stadium, which opened in 1923, saw the bulk of the Yankee’s incredible rise to the biggest team in baseball.
Before your gameday experience, go on a guided tour of the beautiful stadium which was built in 2009.
See some of the most iconic artifacts from the Yankee’s past.
Visit the dugout, getting up close and personal with the famous turf before venturing into the press box.
3. Cooperstown
Although four hours north of New York City, it’s worth adding this to your list if you have the time available in NYC.
Every year almost 300,000 baseball pilgrims make the journey to Cooperstown, home to Baseball’s Sports Hall of Fame.
Cooperstown is also a quaint and interesting town and not a bad experience in its own right too.
Getting to NYC
Getting to New York City (NYC) is relatively straightforward, with many transport options available.
By Plane
Flying is the fastest way to get to NYC from other parts of the country and the world.
There are three major airports located close to the city:
- JFK International Airport
- LaGuardia Airport
- and Newark Liberty International Airport.
By Train or Rail
Amtrak is the main provider of train services in NYC.
Trains travel from all over the country and arrive at Penn Station, located in Manhattan.
The Acela Express is the fastest option, and several other routes are available that are more cost-effective.
By Bus or Coach
Multiple bus companies offer service to NYC, including:
Buses tend to be a more budget-friendly option than trains or planes, though the trip may take much longer depending on the starting point.
By Car
From cities in the Northeast and Midwest, driving may be a good option for getting to NYC.
The main highway that leads into the city is Interstate 95.
A variety of routes through Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Jersey are also available. Do beware though that there are tolls when traveling along these routes.
No matter the mode of transport, getting to NYC is made easy with the variety of options available.
Where to Stay in NYC
Booking.comSports Travel Booking Resources
Traveling around the world to watch & experience sports, I tend to always use the same resources for booking trips. These are the ones I use most frequently and that I find to have great customer support and competitive prices.
- Sports Event Tickets – Tickets for all sporting events
- Get Your Guide – is an excellent site as a one-stop shop for booking attractions, local tours, activities, and excursions. Great customer service and an easy-to-use site.
- Booking.com – The best site I have found for hotel and accommodation bookings.
- Flights – are also now offered by booking.com and as I love the brand this is my first port of call now for flights.
- Safety Wing Travel Insurance – I love Saftey Wing as they cover everything I need to be covered and they have a simple-to-use site, and again, I have found their customer service very good, when I needed to ask questions.
- Hostelworld – Book backpacker hostel rooms around the world with Hostel World.
