Meadowlands Sports Complex
Address | East Rutherford, New Jersey United States |
---|---|
Coordinates | 40°48′51″N 74°04′26″W / 40.81417°N 74.07389°W |
Facilities | MetLife Stadium Meadowlands Racetrack American Dream Meadowlands Meadowlands Arena |
Public transit | Meadowlands (select events) |
Owner | New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority |
The Meadowlands Sports Complex is a sports complex located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. The facility is owned and operated by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA).[1] It is named for the New Jersey Meadowlands, upon which it was built.
The complex currently consists of MetLife Stadium, which is home to the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League; the Meadowlands Racetrack, a famous harness racing circuit (which is home of the annual Hambletonian Stakes); and the Quest Diagnostics Training Center, which is the Giants' practice facility.
The complex is also home to the American Dream retail and entertainment venue, which was home to the Metropolitan Riveters of the Premier Hockey Federation, and the now-closed Meadowlands Arena, which served as a home for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League, Seton Hall University's men's basketball team, and the team the arena was built for, the now-Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association.
History
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In the mid-1960s, civic leaders in
To accommodate the new facility, access roads were improved. The New Jersey Turnpike, which had been suffering the burden of increased traffic volumes near its northern terminus in Ridgefield Park, built a new alignment, the "western spur", with an exit, interchange 16W, leading directly to the sports complex as well as to Route 3. Routes 3 and 20 (now 120) also received improvements.
On September 1, 1976, the Meadowlands Racetrack became the first complex venue to open, featuring harness racing.[2] The track drew a capacity crowd of 42,133 for its initial date. Giants Stadium opened on October 10, 1976, as 76,042 fans watched the New York Giants lose to the Dallas Cowboys, 24–14.[3]
By 1977, plans were in the works to expand the complex. A new arena was to be built on the opposite side of Route 20 from the stadium and racetrack, connected by vehicle ramps and a pedestrian bridge.
The Nets played their first game at the arena on October 30, 1981, and lost to their cross-river rivals, the New York Knicks by a score of 103–99. The Devils played their first game on October 5, 1982, against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The game ended in a 3–3 tie.
The New York Jets moved to Giants Stadium on September 6, 1984, after playing at Shea Stadium for nearly 20 years. In their first game at the stadium on that day, the Jets lost 23–17 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in front of 70,564 fans.
In 2007, construction began on a mega-mall, named Meadowlands Xanadu. Work came to a halt in 2009, and
The New Jersey Devils and Seton Hall Pirates left the complex when the Prudential Center was finished in 2007, followed by the New Jersey Nets, who moved there in 2010 to go to Prudential Center, then Brooklyn two years later, leaving the Izod Center devoid of a main tenant but free to host more concerts and events. Giants Stadium closed in at the end of the 2009 NFL season and demolition started immediately. In September 2010, MetLife Stadium, then known as New Meadowlands Stadium, opened for its first game. It was privately built and funded by the Jets and Giants. A commuter train line and a training center for the Giants also opened at the same time. MetLife bought the naming rights for the stadium and the entire complex in August 2011.
Meadowlands Arena closed in April 2015 to the public after suffering the loss of its major tenants and economic losses from other events. Since then, the arena has been used for concert rehearsals and private video productions. The former arena box offices are used as a station for the NJSEA EMS and the former Winner's Club lounge restaurant is the quarters for the New Jersey State Police.
MetLife Stadium will host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the final; it will be the second time FIFA World Cup matches are played at the Meadowlands. Giants Stadium hosted matches during the 1994 FIFA World Cup.[5][6]
In addition to the three venues, the complex also hosts events in the MetLife Stadium parking lot. State Fair Meadowlands (formerly called the Meadowlands Fair, and not affiliated with the New Jersey State Fair held annually in Sussex County) began in 1986 and has been operated by State Fair of Belleville since 2003. The parking lot is also the home of a twice-weekly flea market, which is canceled when the parking spaces are needed for stadium events.
The NJSEA hires in-house security and emergency medical services staff to serve the venues at the Sports Complex, including MetLife Stadium. Law enforcement is primarily provided by the New Jersey State Police Sports Complex Unit.
Venues
MetLife Stadium
Meadowlands Arena (former)
Meadowlands Racetrack
The Meadowlands Racetrack is a horse racing track that hosts both thoroughbred racing and harness racing. It is known popularly in the region as "The Big M".
Opened in the mid–1970s, the Meadowlands Racetrack held its first harness race on September 1, 1976 while thoroughbred racing commenced on September 6, 1977.[7][8] The Racetrack is the site of the Hambletonian, the most prestigious event in standardbred racing. The track is equipped to race at night, when most of its races are.
In the middle of the track is a lake, intended to resemble the state of New Jersey. The Meadowlands Racetrack is also one of the leading simulcast facilities in the world in terms of total handle.
Quest Diagnostics Training Center
The Quest Diagnostics Training Center is the main headquarters and practice facility of the New York Giants. It was known as the Timex Performance Center, renamed in July 2013 when the Giants and Quest Diagnostics announced[9] a new partnership after the four-year partnership between the Giants and Timex ended. The facility, on the westernmost portion of the Meadowlands Sports Complex grounds, opened in 2010 and replaced the old Giants' practice fields and headquarters, adjacent to Giants Stadium. The Giants annually host Training Camp at the facility in the summers, including practices open to the public with fan activities and legend player meet-and-greet opportunities. Parking for Training Camp is in Lot G.
American Dream
American Dream is a large mall and entertainment complex. Formerly known as Xanadu, the project resides within the Meadowlands Sports Complex adjacent to the Izod Center that will have over 450 stores.[10] The first of four opening stages occurred on October 25, 2019,[11] with the other stages opening on a staggered schedule on October 1, 2020.[11][12]
Only 45 percent of American Dream's space is devoted to retail locations.
The other 55 percent of the space contains entertainment facilities.
On September 14, 2022, the Metropolitan Riveters of the Premier Hockey Federation became tenants of The Rink at the American Dream for at least the next three years.[25]
Access
Meadowlands station
Road access
The Meadowlands Sports Complex is primarily surrounded by four main highways:
Auto racing
In 1983, a
In July 1984, the
From 1988 to 1991, the race was part of the Marlboro Million, a cash prize to be awarded to any driver who won the Marlboro Grand Prix, the
In the early 2000s, conceptual plans were drafted to build a NASCAR-style speedway at the Meadowlands Sports Complex as part of a revitalizing project. However, the plan was rejected and abandoned.
Tenants
MetLife Stadium
The Rink at American Dream
Former Metlife Stadium tenants
- XFL) (2020)
Former Giants Stadium tenants
- New York Giants (NFL)
- New York Jets (NFL)
- New York Cosmos (NASL) (1977–84)
- New Jersey Generals (USFL) (1983–85)
- WLAF) (1991–92)
- New York Red Bulls (MLS) (1995–2009) (moved to Red Bull Arena in Harrison)
- New York/New Jersey Hitmen (XFL) (2001)
Former Meadowlands Arena tenants
- New Jersey Nets (NBA) (1981–2010) (moved to Prudential Center in Newark from 2010–2012 and then moved to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn as the Brooklyn Nets.)
- New Jersey Rockets (1981–1982) (MISL)
- New York Cosmos (1981–1985) (NASL Indoor/MISL)
- New Jersey Devils (NHL) (1982–2007) (moved to Prudential Center in Newark)
- Seton Hall University Men's Basketball (NCAA) (1981–2007) (moved to Prudential Center in Newark)
- New Jersey Saints (NLL) (1987–1988) (moved to Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York as the New York Saints)
- )
- New Jersey Rockin' Rollers (Roller Hockey International) (1995–1997)
- New Jersey Storm (NLL) (2002–2003) (moved to Anaheim)
- New Jersey XTreme (NIFL) (2005)
Notes
- ^ Brennan, John (August 23, 2011). "It's official: MetLife Stadium". The Record. Bergen County. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
- ^ Sullivan, Joseph F. (1976-09-01). ""They're Off!" Tonight at Meadowlands Race Track". The New York Times.
- ^ Amdur, Neil (1976-10-10). "Pride of New Jersey: Stadium Designed for Comfort of Fans". The New York Times.
- ^ Palmer, Robert (1981-07-04). "Rock: Springsteen Inaugurates New Jersey Arena". The New York Times.
- ^ Sobko, Katie (February 6, 2024). "World Cup 2026: Murphy estimates $2B impact for NJ as funding questions linger". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
- ^ Citak, Matt (2022-06-20). "Giants Now: MetLife Stadium to host World Cup matches in 2026". New York Giants.
- ^ Cady, Steve (August 29, 1976). "Jersey Complex Opens Trot Track Wednesday". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
- ^ Cady, Steve (September 4, 1977). "Meadowlands Starts Flat Racing Tuesday Night". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
- ^ "Giants, Quest team up for player safety". giants.com. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
- ^ Bagli, Charles V. (October 2, 2015). "Huge Mall Rising at Troubled Site in North Jersey". The New York Times. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
- ^ NorthJersey.com. Archived from the originalon July 3, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
- ^ Pries, Allison (September 20, 2019). "American Dream's theme park to open in October. For other attractions, you'll have to wait". NJ.com. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Pries, Allison (May 20, 2019). "American Dream opening delayed -- again. But now there will be birds, bunnies and Instagram moments". NJ.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- ^ a b Brennan, John (August 11, 2015). "American Dream Meadowlands by the numbers". NorthJersey.com. Archived from the original on February 7, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
- ^ Pries, Allison (December 2, 2018). "Waterslides are being installed at the American Dream mega-mall and it is glorious". NJ.com. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
- ^ Brennan, John (February 21, 2013). "Work on American Dream complex set to resume in March, official says". NorthJersey.com.
- ^ Brennan, John (September 13, 2016). "SpongeBob, Ninja Turtles sign on with American Dream". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
- ^ Thomas, Lauren (October 22, 2019). "More than 17 years in the making, American Dream megamall's story was shaped by retail's upheaval". CNBC. Archived from the original on October 23, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
- ^ Bagli, Charles V. (May 31, 2017). "Looking for (Another) $1.1 Billion to Finish an Amusement Mall". The New York Times.
- ^ O'Neill, Erin (October 8, 2015). "Dine-in theater with private rooms and '4D' coming to American Dream megamall". NJ.com. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
- ^ Marroquin, Mario (April 4, 2017), American Dream making progress: KidZania latest to lease space, NorthJersey.com
- ^ McCarthy, Craig (June 29, 2016). "Meadowlands megamall announces its next big entertainment venue". NJ.com. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
- ^ a b O'Neill, Erin (October 1, 2015). "Aquarium, Legoland coming to Meadowlands complex". NJ.com. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
- ^ "Kosher Restaurants at American Dream in NJ - Kosher Dunkin, Cinnabon & More". American Dream. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
- ^ Wyshynski, Greg (September 14, 2022). "Metropolitan Riveters to play home games in New Jersey megamall American Dream". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
- ^ Record Newspaper Accessed July 9, 2009. Archived February 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Clunn, Nick (July 26, 2009). "Thousands hop on board new Meadowlands rail service". The Record. Retrieved 2009-08-02.
- ^ Alex, Dan; er. "NJ Transit bus service to American Dream mega mall at Meadowlands". New Jersey 101.5. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
- ^ "Directions to MetLife Stadium". MetLife Stadium. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- ^ "ALAN L. WILSON" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-03-27. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
- ^ "Extra Indy-Car Incentive". The New York Times. July 20, 1988. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
- ^ Tadema-Wielandt, Michael (March 23, 2002). "Remember when?". www.grandprix.com. Retrieved 2011-12-05.
External links
- Meadowlands Sports Complex
- The Mills – Meadowlands Xanadu
- Teterboro Online: Xanadu Project
- George R. Zoffinger collected news and commentary at The New York Times