Sports enthusiasts rejoice: New York City is an amazing place for anyone who loves to watch or compete in a range of sports. With iconic venues, renowned teams, and unique locales, NYC is a sports paradise for the dedicated fan. Whether you’re looking to spend a day in the stands or keen to join an amateur league, here is everything you need to know about being a sports fan in the Big Apple.
Professional Teams
New York City is famously home to some of the most loved professional sports teams in the US. With teams across all the major sports, both novice and experienced fans can find something to watch when in NYC.
Major League Baseball
When it comes to Major League Baseball (MLB), NYC is packed with iconic teams. There’s something extra special about watching the New York Yankees, who have been one of the most successful teams in baseball since the 1920s. The host of their home games is the illustrious Yankee Stadium, otherwise known as the “House That Ruth Built” in honor of the legendary Babe Ruth. The stadium is also a great place for any self-respecting baseball fan to take a tour.
For a different NYC baseball experience, you’ll want to check out the New York Mets and their world-renowned home of Citi Field in Queens. This beautiful ballpark was built in the run-up to the 2009 season and, besides the Mets games, is often used for college, high school, and other MLB playoffs.
National Football League
Moving onto football, the most popular teams in NYC are the New York Giants and the New York Jets, who share MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Watch a game here and you’ll be in awe of the state-of-the-art facility and its comfortable interior, plus you’ll have the luxury of seeing not just one but two of the city’s most beloved football teams in action.
National Basketball Association & National Hockey League
The Big Apple doesn’t lack for basketball and hockey teams either. New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets are both part of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and go head-to-head in the battle for basketball supremacy. As for the National Hockey League (NHL), New York fans can proudly support either the New York Rangers or the New York Islanders – both of whom are widely loved and highly successful teams.
Amateur Leagues
New York isn’t just reserved for the pros, however. Whether you are a beginner or more experienced, there is an amateur sport to do in the city and numerous ways to join either social or competitive leagues.
Soccer
Home to nine professional soccer teams, it’s no secret that NYC is full of passionate soccer lovers and has plenty of opportunities to join a team at various ranges of skill. If you’re simply looking to kick around with some friends for a few hours, you can easily find a cheap or free pitch to play on, especially during the warmer weather months.
For something more organized, there are plenty of social soccer leagues in and around Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens playing at various skill levels. A great place to look for a team is through one of the bigger recreational or competitive businesses such as Manhattan Kickers or NYC Footy.
Softball
On a similar note, softball is probably the most popular team sport played in NYC due to its relative low intensity and adaptability to different skill levels. There are dozens of recreational softball leagues around the city, easily accessible through websites such as Meetup.com or the New York City Social League.
If you’d like to go a step further, you could always look into competitive Softball leagues catered to different skill levels. Again, the best way is to look online especially on the website of the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA). It’s also worth taking a look at the official website of each borough, as they have a list of publicly funded facilities with dedicated softball pitches throughout each borough.
Basketball
Finally, if you’re looking for a team sport that’s best appreciated during the warmer months, basketball is NYC’s other mainstay. Again, you can easily find outdoor courts across the city for a pickup or casual 5-on-5 game. Alternatively, there are a number of basketball leagues built on making friends rather than winning games. These leagues are nothing but full-blooded fun.
The New York City Community Basketball League (NYCCBL) is the most popular that caters to people of all skill levels. You can either join via the website, or just show up at one of the many parks around the city where they often host “open-gym” sessions.
Sports Events & Venues
New York City is also famous for its big events and fan-filled stadiums. With the likes of iconic Madison Square Garden not to mention Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, sports fans have plenty of options when it comes to immersive events.
Madison Square Garden
The most famous arena in NYC is easily Madison Square Garden (MSG). Known simply as “The Garden,” this iconic arena has been the home of the New York Knicks for almost 50 years. It is also the base for several championships, concerts and other major television events, including the world-famous WWE SmackDown.
Yankee Stadium and Citi Field
As mentioned before, the world-renowned Yankee Stadium is the home of the Yankees and has been for almost a century. Located in the Bronx, its unique architecture replicates classic designs from the early 1900s which is why this venue has been one of America’s most beloved from the moment of its inauguration.
Citi Field, on the other hand, is the home of the Mets and is equipped with amenities that would make even the most devoted Mets fan feel at home. With modern technologies and comfortable dining options, Citi Field stands as a testimony of New York City’s place in the baseball world.
Unique Venues
NYC also has some pretty unique venues that are both immersive and interesting. If you’re looking for something more relaxed, then you’ll want to check out the New York Open Center in Union Square. Here, you have a choice of plays, concerts, educational talks, and martial arts classes.
If you’d rather watch a game, then you’ll want to keep an eye out for what’s happening in the historic Dyckman Basketball Tournament. This streetball tournament is held every summer at the Dyckman Marine Park in Upper Manhattan and has quickly become a mainstay event for local basketball fans. You can also discover the NYC E-Sports scene by looking into the events at Life Line Bar in the East Village.
New York City is a sports paradise for anyone looking to get the most out of their time in the vibrant city. Whether you’re a sports fan who’s keen to catch a game or an athlete looking to join a team, there is something for everyone in the Big Apple. Be sure to check out some of the city’s iconic venues, like the historic Yankee Stadium, or join one of its unique events such as the Dyckman Basketball Tournament. With a range of sports at all skill levels, this is the city for sports lovers.
