Published on
December 11, 2023 at 6:00:00 AM PST December 11, 2023 at 6:00:00 AM PSTth, December 11, 2023 at 6:00:00 AM PST
Tips From The Pros
Bill Squires served 12 years on active duty in the United States Navy and 12 years in the Naval Reserves, retiring as a Commander. In 1987, he entered the sports facilities and event management business and has held top-level positions with Yankee Stadium, Giants Stadium, Cleveland Browns Stadium, and ESPN Wide World of Sports. Bill has a consulting business featuring clients like the New York Football Giants. He is a member of the Sports League Sub Council, which works with the Department of Homeland Security on security issues involving the safety and security of sports and entertainment venues. Bill is an adjunct professor at Columbia University and has taught the Sports Facilities and Events Management course in the Master of Science in Sports Management since 2007.METLIFE STADIUM: 2023 RECORD YEAR
MetLife Stadium opened in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in May 2010. The New York Football Giants and the New York Jets paid for the venue, which cost $1.6 billion to design and construct. Each team paid $800 million – no public funds were used.
Each team receives the revenue from their respective games, and the teams split the income from other events. The teams created a company, New Meadowlands Stadium, LLC, that manages and operates the Stadium and books all events besides Jets and Giants games. These events take place on the field, in numerous special event spaces, and in the various parking lots (24,000 parking spaces) at the MetLife Sports Complex.
2023 was a banner year for MetLife Stadium. A record 18 concerts were hosted, and it could have been more if Morgan Wallen had not canceled his two shows due to an illness.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE EVENT RECAP:
The installation of a new synthetic turf field was completed in mid-April.
- April 22: Super Cross (dirt installed before and removed after the event).
- April 27: Giants’ draft party.
- May 13: Monster Jam (dirt installed before and removed after the event).
- May 16, 17: College graduations.
- May 26, 27, 28: Taylor Swift.
- June 10, 11: Ed Sheeran.
- There is a three-week fair in the parking lots from mid-June to early July with amusements, rides, food and beverages, etc., that prevent major field events in the Stadium.
- July 6: Twice.
- July 22: Manchester United vs. Arsenal (two-day natural grass installation, three-day watering and mowing, match day, and one-day grass removal – a total of 7 days).
- July 29-30: Beyonce (about 60 tractor-trailers with stage and production equipment).
- August 4 and 6: Metallica.
- August 11, 12: Blackpink.
- August 15: Guns N Roses.
- August 18: Giants-Panthers pre-season game.
- August 19: Jets-Buccaneers pre-season game.
- August 24: Giants Fan Fest.
- August 26: Giants-Jets pre-season game.
- August 30, September 1, 3: Bruce Springsteen.
- September 7, 8: Karol G.
- September 10: Giants-Cowboys (Sunday night game).
- September 11: Jets-Bills (Monday night game).
- September 16: Morehouse College-Howard University HBCU game.
- September 24: Jets-Patriots.
- October 1: Jets-Kansas City (Sunday night game).
- October 2: Giants-Seahawks (Monday night game).
- October 15: Jets-Eagles.
- October 22: Giants-Commanders.
- October 29: Giants-Jets.
- November 6: Jets-Chargers.
- November 24: Jets-Dolphins (first “Black Friday” game)
- November 26: Giants-Patriots.
- December 3: Jets-Falcons.
- December 10 Jets-Texans.
- December 11: Giants-Packers (Monday night game).
- December 31: Giants-Rams.
- December 24: Jets-Commanders.
- January 7, 2024: Giants-Eagles.
Special events: Bar Mitzvahs, a wedding, college graduations, high school project graduation, black tie galas, commercial and video shoots, corporate meetings and conferences, town hall events, flag football tournaments, luncheons, tradeshows for all different industries, 5K walk/runs, lacrosse and soccer tournaments, corporate family fun days, a bridal expo, food shows, career fairs, a wine tasting, holiday parties, and not-for-profit organizations fundraising events.
Parking lot rentals: There were 30 revenue-generating events in the parking lots.
2024
- NHL Stadium Series (first back-to-back games in a stadium)
- February 17: Devils-Flyers.
- February 18: Rangers-Islanders.
- Concerts: Morgan Wallen (two shows), Rolling Stones (two shows), George Strait, Luke Combs (two shows), and Kenny Chesney. More concerts will be scheduled.
- 2024 Copa America (three matches, including a semi-final)
- October 26: Navy-Notre Dame game.
2026
- FIFA Men’s World Cup matches: Potential of 8 or 9 matches.
- Army-Navy game.
Modern-day sports venues are designed to be multi-purpose, hosting various sports and entertainment events. MetLife Stadium continues to be a leader in the industry.
I wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday season.
Posted November 14, 2023