Citi Field Explained

Stadium Name:Citi Field
Address:41 Seaver Way
Location:Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S.
Pushpin Map:USA New York City#New York#USA
Pushpin Relief:no
Opened: (college game)
(exhibition game)
(regular season)
Owner:New York Mets
Operator:New York Mets
Surface:Kentucky Bluegrass
Construction Cost:US$900 million
($ in dollars)
Architect:Populous (formerly HOK Sport)
Structural Engineer:WSP Cantor Seinuk[1]
Services Engineer:M-E Engineers, Inc.
General Contractor:Hunt/Bovis Lend Lease Alliance II (a joint venture)
Main Contractors:International Concrete Products
Tenants:New York Mets (MLB) (2009–present)
New York City FC (MLS) (2020–present, part-time)[2]
Seating Capacity:41,922 (2012–present)[3]
41,800 (2009–2011)
45,000+ (including standing room)
Record Attendance:45,186 (2013 All-Star Game)[4]
44,859 (2015 World Series)[5]
44,466 (Regular season, 2016)[6]
43,700 (August 3, 2023; Pink's Summer Carnival)
Dimensions:Left field line - 335feet
Left center - 358feet
Deep left center - 385feet
Center field - 408feet
Deep right center - 398feet
Right center - 375feet
Right field line - 330feet
Publictransit: Long Island Rail Road: at Mets–Willets Point
New York City Subway:
at Mets–Willets Point
New York City Bus:,,

Citi Field is a baseball stadium located in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, in the borough of Queens, New York City, United States. Opening in 2009, Citi Field is the ballpark of Major League Baseball’s New York Mets. The stadium was built as a replacement for the adjacent Shea Stadium, which had opened in 1964.

Citi Field was designed by the company Populous. The $850 million baseball park was funded with $615 million in public subsidies,[7] including the sale of New York City municipal bonds that are to be repaid by the Mets with interest. The payments will offset property taxes for the lifetime of the park.[8] [9]

The first game at Citi Field was on March 29, 2009, with a college baseball game between St. John's and Georgetown.[10] The Mets played their first two games at the ballpark on April 3 and 4, 2009 against the Boston Red Sox[11] as charity exhibition games. The first regular-season home game was played on April 13, 2009, against the San Diego Padres. Citi Field hosted the 2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, marking the second time the Mets have hosted the event (the first being in 1964, the inaugural season of Shea Stadium).[12]

The naming rights were purchased by Citigroup, a New York financial services company, for $20 million annually.

History

Planning

Since the 1990s, the Mets were looking to replace Shea Stadium. It had originally been built as a multi-purpose stadium in 1964. While it had been retrofitted as a baseball-only stadium after the NFL's New York Jets left for Giants Stadium after the 1983 season, it was still not optimal for baseball, with seating located farther away from the playing field compared to other major league ballparks.[13] The team unveiled a preliminary model of the ballpark in 1998; it featured a retractable roof and a movable grass field, which would have allowed it to host events including conventions and college basketball. The Mets also considered moving to Mitchel Field or Belmont Park in Nassau County, Long Island; Sunnyside Yard in Queens, or the West Side Yard in Manhattan.[14]

In December 2001, shortly before leaving office, New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani announced "tentative agreements" for both the Mets and the New York Yankees to build new stadiums. Of the $1.6 billion sought for the stadiums, city and state taxpayers would pick up half the tab for construction, $800 million, along with $390 million on extra transportation.[15] The plan also said that the teams would be allowed to keep all parking revenues, which state officials had already said they wanted to keep to compensate the state for building new garages for the teams.[16] The teams would keep 96% of ticket revenues and 100% of all other revenues, not pay sales tax or property tax on the stadium, and would get low-cost electricity from New York state.[16] Business officials criticized the plan as giving too much money to successful teams with little reason to move to a different city.[16]

Michael Bloomberg, who succeeded Giuliani as mayor, exercised the escape clause in the agreements to back out of both deals, saying that the city could not afford to build new stadiums for the Mets and Yankees. Bloomberg said that, unbeknownst to him, Giuliani had inserted a clause in this deal that loosened the teams' leases with the city and would allow the Mets and Yankees to leave the city on 60 days notice to find a new home elsewhere if the city backed out of the agreement.[15] [16] At the time, Bloomberg said that publicly funded stadiums were a poor investment. Under Bloomberg, the New York City government would only offer public financing for infrastructure improvements; the teams would have to pay for the stadiums themselves. Bloomberg called the former mayor's agreements "corporate welfare." Giuliani had already been instrumental in the construction of taxpayer-funded minor league baseball facilities MCU Park for the Mets' minor league Brooklyn Cyclones and Richmond County Bank Ballpark for the Staten Island Yankees.

The final plans for what is now Citi Field were created as part of the unsuccessful New York City 2012 Olympic bid. After plans for a West Side Stadium fell through, New York looked for an alternate stadium to host the opening and closing ceremonies and track and field. The Olympic Stadium project on the West Side was estimated to cost $2.2 billion, with $300 million provided by New York City and an additional $300 million from New York State. If New York had won the bid, Citi Field would have been expanded to Olympic events while the Mets would have played at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx for the 2012 season.[17] By then, however, the failure of the West Side Stadium proposal had effectively ended New York's chances of winning the 2012 games.[18]

Construction

The projected cost of the new ballpark and other infrastructure improvements was $610 million, with the Mets picking up $420 million of that amount. The agreement included a 40-year lease that would keep the Mets in New York until 2049. The Mets own the stadium through a wholly owned subsidiary, Queens Ballpark Company.

On March 18, 2006, the New York Mets unveiled the official model for the new ballpark. By July 2006, initial construction of the new park was underway in the parking lot beyond Shea Stadium's left-field, with a projected finish of late March ahead of Opening Day 2009.

By April 13, 2008, all of the structure for the Jackie Robinson Rotunda was in place with the arched windows receiving their paneling and glass. By September 2008, most of the Citi Field signage had been installed.[19] By December 1, 2008, all of the seats and the playing field had been installed.[20]

Modifications

During the 2010 off-season, the bullpen area in right-center field underwent a complete renovation. When the edifice opened in time for the start of the 2009 MLB season, the Mets' bullpen was in front of the visiting bullpen, leading to an obstructed view of the field from the visiting bullpen, which the San Diego Padres complained about during the Mets' first regular-season home series. The bullpens were turned 90°, with pitchers throwing toward the field instead of parallel to it.[21] More Mets team colors, player banners and logos were also added throughout the ballpark, including revamping the "Let's Go Mets" slogan on the Citi Vision board so that the word "Mets" appears in its traditional script instead of the same font as the rest of the slogan.[22] Additionally, the height of the home run boundary line directly in front of the Home Run Apple in center field was reduced from 16feet to 8feet in an attempt to produce more home runs.[23]

During its first three seasons, the large field dimensions caused Citi Field to play as an extreme "pitcher's park", and home-runs at the stadium were among the fewest in the Major Leagues. Mets' general manager Sandy Alderson changed Citi Field's dimensions in time for the 2012 MLB season in order to make it more friendly to hitters.[24] Changes included building an 8feet wall in front of the high 16feet wall in left field that many had dubbed the "Great Wall of Flushing", removing the nook in the "Mo's Zone" in right field, and reducing the distance in right center field from 415feet from home plate to 390feet. The new walls are colored blue in order to address fan complaints that the old black walls with orange trims did not reflect the colors of the Mets.[25] The Mets have also created a new seating section located in between the old and new left field walls called the Party City Party Deck, renamed the M&M's Sweet Seats in 2016 after change of sponsorship, and can accommodate 102 additional fans.[3]

The center and right-center outfield wall were brought in to 380feet for the 2015 season.[26]

On March 21, 2019, the Mets announced on Twitter that Citi Field's permanent address would be changed to 41 Seaver Way, in honor of former Mets Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver whose number was 41.[27] [28] The ceremony was held on June 27, 2019, and was part of the weekend set aside for celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1969 World Series champion Mets.

In 2023, the right field fence was moved in 8feet, removing the nook and creating a new fan experience,[29] and the scoreboard in center field was replaced with a new one measuring 17400square feet, the largest in any MLB ballpark.[30]

Features

Citi Field has a capacity of 41,922. It has over 15,000 fewer seats than Shea Stadium. All the seats in the park are green – in an homage to the Polo Grounds, longtime home of the baseball Giants and the original home of the Mets – as opposed to Shea's orange, blue, red and green assortment.[31] The exterior facade is reminiscent of Ebbets Field (which was long sought by then-Mets owner Fred Wilpon, a Brooklyn native).

Citi Field's interior design is primarily influenced by the Pittsburgh Pirates' PNC Park, which was the favorite ballpark of Mets COO Jeff Wilpon. Other influences include Great American Ball Park, Coors Field, and Citizens Bank Park. Citi Field is the only ballpark in Major League Baseball to feature orange foul poles instead of the standard yellow, a unique characteristic that was carried over from Shea Stadium.[32]

Citi Field features an overarching bridge motif in its architecture, as New York City is linked by 2,027 bridges and is reflected in the Mets logo, as the team is the symbolic bridge to the city's past National League teams, the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers.[31] In the outfield section of the ballpark, there is a pedestrian bridge named Shea Bridge that resembles the Hell Gate Bridge.[22]

Similar to Shea Stadium, Citi Field's field dimensions ensure it is a pitcher-friendly park. The Coca-Cola Corner, originally known as the Pepsi Porch, hangs over the field in right field, extending far beyond the indentation of the Clubhouse and is inspired by Tiger Stadium's right field porch. The Pepsi sign that sat atop the area (2009–2015) was modeled after the one alongside the East River in Gantry Plaza State Park; it was replaced by Coca-Cola's logo in 2016 upon assuming the role of a Mets sponsor.[33]

In 2012, the Mets added the Party City Party Deck in left field because they moved the fences in. The Party Deck is very similar to The Royals' Pepsi Party Porch.

Delta Air Lines signed a multiyear deal on September 15, 2008, to sponsor an exclusive section in Citi Field. The Delta Sky360 Club is a 22500square feet restaurant-cafe-bar-lounge complex that also houses 1,600 premium seats behind home plate stretching from dugout to dugout.[34]

Jackie Robinson Rotunda

The front entrance of Citi Field features a rotunda named after Brooklyn Dodgers legend Jackie Robinson and honors his life and accomplishments. Engraved into the rotunda's 160adj=midNaNadj=mid floor and etched into the archways are words and larger-than-life images that defined Robinson's nine values: Courage, Excellence, Persistence, Justice, Teamwork, Commitment, Citizenship, Determination and Integrity.

Robinson's famous quote: "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives" is engraved into the upper ring of the rotunda. There is also an 8feet sculpture of Robinson's number 42.[31] The formal dedication of the Jackie Robinson Rotunda was held as part of Major League Baseball's official celebration of Jackie Robinson Day on April 15, 2009.[35]

Home Run Apple

Another tradition from Shea Stadium carried over into Citi Field is the Home Run Apple. When a Mets player hits a home run, a giant apple, which has a Mets logo on the front that lights up, rises from its housing in the center field batter's eye. The new apple that was constructed for Citi Field is more than four times the size of the previous one and was designed by Minneapolis-based engineering firm Uni-Systems.[36]

During the 2009 season, the original Shea apple was located in Bullpen Plaza, just inside the Bullpen Gate entrance. In 2010, it was relocated outside the ballpark in Mets Plaza to the area between the Jackie Robinson Rotunda and the entrance to the Mets–Willets Point subway station.[37]

Tom Seaver statue

On April 15, 2022, at their season home opener, the Mets unveiled a statue of Tom Seaver, created by sculptor William Behrends. It is located in Mets Plaza, next to the Shea Stadium Home Run Apple.[38] [39]

Amenities and facilities

Behind the center field scoreboard is the FanFest area, an expanded family entertainment area that includes a miniature wiffleball field replica of Citi Field called Mr. Met's Kiddie Field, a batting cage, a dunk tank, video game kiosks and other attractions.[40] [41]

Citi Field offers a wide choice of eateries. Taste of the City is a food court located in the center field section of the ballpark. It features food from restaurateur Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group and includes a variety of stands, including Shake Shack (burgers, fries, shakes), Blue Smoke (barbecue), El Verano Taqueria (Mexican cuisine), Catch of the Day (featuring seafood from chef Dave Pasternack of Esca), and Box Frites (Belgian French fries); the Shake Shack stand also has the New York skyline replica that topped the old scoreboard at Shea Stadium above it.[31] [42] The World's Fare Market is located on the field level in right field and features sushi from Daruma of Tokyo, sandwiches and pastries from Mama's of Corona, Chinese cuisine from Tai Pan Bakery and Korean food from Café Hanover.[42] [43] Citi Field also offers a choice of fresh fruit at several stands around the stadium.[44]

In 2010 Citi Field upgraded the food choices on the Promenade Level behind home plate. Blue Smoke BBQ and Box Frites both open a second location.

Restaurants and clubs are also available in every level of the ballpark. The 350-seat Acela Club (now Porsche Grill) located in left field on the Excelsior Level, is the dining highlight of the new park and features a full view of the playing field as well as food from Drew Nieporent's Myriad Restaurant Group, renowned for Nobu and Tribeca Grill.[31] Admission into the high-end luxury Porsche Grill and Delta Sky360 Club, and including the other semi-luxury clubs are exclusive to high-end ticket holders only, and some restaurants enforce that reservations be made. A McFadden's Restaurant and Saloon opened at Citi Field in 2010. It is located directly under the Good Humor FanFest and is open to the public year-round.[45] [46]

Mets Hall of Fame & Museum

The Mets Hall of Fame & Museum is located adjacent to the Jackie Robinson Rotunda on the first base side and opened on April 5, 2010. The museum includes plaques honoring the inductees of the New York Mets Hall of Fame, the team's World Series trophies from and, as well as artifacts on loan from noted collectors, former players and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.[47] The museum boasts several displays including autographed memorabilia, original scouting reports on players such as Darryl Strawberry, and handwritten notes from the team's first manager Casey Stengel. In addition to this the team has installed interactive touchscreens, television screens, and timelines that guide visitors through various aspects of the franchise's history.

Public opinion

Business Insider praised the stadium for its aesthetics and named it one of the top 100 venues in sports, while BaseballParks.com called it "perfect" and especially lauded the Jackie Robinson Rotunda.[48] Reviewers also praised the many culinary offerings at Citi Field's concession stands.[49] [50] [51]

Despite the modern amenities, the new Citi Field was not without criticism. Fans complained of obstructed views and an overemphasis on the celebration of the Brooklyn Dodgers' legacy over the history of the Mets.[52] [53] [54] Mets owner Fred Wilpon, a Brooklyn native, had grown up a Brooklyn Dodgers fan and admitted to going overboard. Legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin wrote in The New Yorker,

In response to these criticisms, the team installed photographic imagery of famous players and historic moments in Mets history on the Field and Promenade levels as well as the display of team championship banners on the left-field wall during the 2009 season. They also constructed a Mets Hall of Fame and Museum prior to the 2010 season, located adjacent to the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, and changed the color of the outfield wall from black to Mets blue prior to the 2012 season, which many Mets fans had campaigned for.[55] The team also worked on fixing the obstructed views in the Promenade level.[56]

During its first three seasons in existence, Citi Field played as an extreme "pitcher's park", and was cited as the cause of the decreased offensive production of David Wright and Jason Bay. Wright hit only 10 home runs in 2009 after hitting 30 or more in each of the previous two seasons,[57] while Bay had the worst offensive production of his career in his first season with the Mets in 2010, hitting only 6 home runs, with an on-base percentage of just .347, and a career low .402 slugging percentage.[58] Jeff Francoeur, who played with the Mets during their first two years at Citi Field, criticized the ballpark's dimensions, calling it "a damn joke."[59] During the 2011 season, Citi Field allowed 1.33 home runs per game, the third lowest total out of the 16 National League ballparks. The team responded by altering the ballpark dimensions for the 2012 season, creating a much more neutral ballpark. Wright's 2012 offensive numbers improved due to the alterations. "It's a huge difference", Wright said. "It allows you to relax and know you don't have to try to hit the ball a mile to see results. And at the same time, if you do hit the ball well and you see results, instead of a 400feet flyout, you're 1-for-1 and feeling good about yourself."[60]

Access and transportation

Citi Field is located in the borough of Queens, adjacent to the neighborhoods of Corona, which lies to its west, and Willets Point and Flushing to the east. Flushing Bay is to the north, and the rest of Flushing Meadows–Corona Park is to the south. Because it lies within the Flushing postal zone, and because of its location in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, Citi Field is frequently referred to as being in Flushing proper.

Citi Field is accessible via the New York City Subway via the IRT Flushing Line at the Mets–Willets Point station, the Q48 bus, and the Long Island Rail Road station on the Port Washington Branch, also called Mets–Willets Point. The park is also close to several major thoroughfares, including the Grand Central Parkway, the Whitestone and Van Wyck Expressways, the Long Island Expressway, Roosevelt Avenue, Northern Boulevard and Astoria Boulevard.

Park and rides

Since the construction of Citi Field began, satellite parking lots in Flushing Meadow Park (access from College Point Boulevard) have been opened. Some of these have been designated as park and rides, used by commuters connecting to the trains and the, and buses.[61]

In 2020, Columbia Transportation started a commuter service, the to the Southfield Parking Lot, mainly for commuters from Queens to go to before boarding the bus to Columbia. This service was discontinued in December 2021.

Attendance records

Overall

Bold indicates the winner of each game.

Highest attendance at Citi Field
RankAttendance Date About Notes
145,186July 16, 2013 National League 0, American League 3 2013 MLB All Star Game
244,859 November 1, 2015 Mets 2, Royals 7 (12 innings) 2015 World Series (Game 5)
344,815 October 31, 2015 Mets 3, Royals 5 2015 World Series (Game 4)
444,781 October 30, 2015 Mets 9, Royals 3 2015 World Series (Game 3)
544,747 October 5, 2016 Mets 0, Giants 3 2016 National League Wild Card Game
644,502 October 18, 2015 Mets 4, Cubs 1 2015 NLCS (Game 2)
744,466 April 30, 2016 Mets 6, Giants 5 Regular season record
844,384 April 3, 2017 Mets 6, Braves 0 2017 Opening Day
944,287 October 17, 2015 Mets 4, Cubs 2 2015 NLCS (Game 1)
1044,276 October 12, 2015 Mets 13, Dodgers 7 2015 NLDS Game 3
1144,189 March 29, 2018 Mets 9, Cardinals 4 2018 Opening Day
1244,183 October 13, 2015 Mets 1, Dodgers 3 2015 NLDS Game 4

Regular season

Bold indicates the winner of each game.

Highest regular season attendance at Citi Field
RankAttendance Date Game result Notes
144,466 April 30, 2016 Mets 6, Giants 5
244,424 April 4, 2019 Mets 0, Nationals 4 2019 Home Opener
344,384 April 3, 2017 Mets 6, Braves 0 2017 Home Opener
444,189 March 29, 2018 Mets 9, Cardinals 4 2018 Home Opener
544,099 April 8, 2016 Mets 7, Phillies 2 2016 Home Opener
643,947 April 13, 2015 Mets 2, Phillies 0 2015 Home Opener
743,928 September 29, 2018 Mets 1, Marlins 0 David Wright's Last Game
843,875 August 10, 2019 Mets 4, Nationals 3
943,857 August 13, 2022 Mets 1, Phillies 0
1043,820April 15, 2022Mets 10, Diamondbacks 32022 Home Opener
1143,630 September 19, 2015 Mets 0, Yankees 5
1243,602 September 18, 2015 Mets 5, Yankees 1
1343,571 September 20, 2015 Mets 2, Yankees 11
1443,462 May 27, 2016 Mets 6, Dodgers 5
1543,336 July 9, 2022 Mets 5, Marlins 4 Keith Hernandez Number Retirement
1643,323 July 3, 2019 Mets 1, Yankees 5
1743,255 August 29, 2015 Mets 1, Red Sox 3
1843,144 September 11, 2021 Mets 7, Yankees 8 20th anniversary of 9/11 attacks
1942,996 August 1, 2015 Mets 3, Nationals 2

Progression

Bold indicates the winner of each game.

Progression of attendance records at Citi Field
Regular SeasonMets Overall
41,007 – April 13, 2009
Mets 5, Padres 6
41,103 – May 25, 2009
Mets 5, Nationals 2
41,221 – June 25, 2009
Mets 3, Cardinals 2
41,278 – June 26, 2009
Mets 1, Yankees 9
41,302 – June 27, 2009
Mets 0, Yankees 5
41,315 – June 28, 2009
Mets 2, Yankees 5
41,382 – May 21, 2010
Mets 1, Yankees 2
41,422 – May 23, 2010
Mets 6, Yankees 4
42,020 – July 1, 2011
Mets 1, Yankees 5
42,042 – July 2, 2011
Mets 2, Yankees 5
42,080 – April 5, 2012
Mets 1, Braves 0
42,122 – June 23, 2012
Mets 3, Yankees 4
42,364 – June 24, 2012
Mets 5, Yankees 6
42,516 – July 3, 2012
Mets 11, Phillies 1
42,516 – July 3, 2012
Mets 11, Phillies 1 		45,186 – July 16, 2013
N.L. 0, A.L. 3
2013 All Star Game
43,947 – April 13, 2015
Mets 2, Phillies 0
43,947 – April 13, 2015
Mets 2, Phillies 0 		44,276 – October 12, 2015
Mets 13, Dodgers 7
2015 NLDS Game 3
44,287 – October 17, 2015
Mets 4, Cubs 1
2015 NLCS Game 1
44,502 – October 18, 2015
Mets 4, Cubs 1
2015 NLCS Game 2
44,781 – October 30, 2015
Mets 9, Royals 3
2015 World Series Game 3
44,781 – October 31, 2015
Mets 3, Royals 5
2015 World Series Game 4
44,859 – November 1, 2015
Mets 2, Royals 7 (12 innings)
2015 World Series Game 5
44,099 – April 8, 2016
Mets 7, Phillies 2 		44,859 – November 1, 2015
Mets 2, Royals 7 (12 innings)
2015 World Series Game 5
44,466 – April 30, 2016
Mets 6, Giants 5

Naming rights

On November 13, 2006, it was announced that the ballpark would be called Citi Field, named for Citigroup Inc. Citigroup will be paying $20 million a year for the naming rights to the park over the next 20 years. This made Citi Field the second major league sports venue in the New York metropolitan area and the first in the city itself to be named for a corporate sponsor. At the time, the Meadowlands Arena in New Jersey's Meadowlands Sports Complex had carried the Continental Airlines name. The deal includes an option on both sides to extend the contract to 40 years, and is the most expensive sports-stadium naming rights agreement ever, subsequently equaled by MetLife Stadium's $400 million deal.[62]

At the groundbreaking for Citi Field, it was announced that the main entrance, modeled on the one in Brooklyn's old Ebbets Field, would be called the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, possibly due to campaigns to forgo naming rights revenue and name the ballpark after Robinson. The Mets are spending more than $600 million for the new ballpark, which New York City and New York state are also supporting with a total of $165 million for such costs as infrastructure and site preparation. On February 24, 2008, the Mets and Citigroup unveiled the new Citi Field logo.[63]

Controversy

The Citigroup naming rights deal, the most lucrative in history to that point, was criticized during the late-2000s financial crisis amid $45 billion of taxpayer funds loaned to Citigroup by the U.S. federal government in two rescue packages.[64] Congressman Elijah Cummings of Maryland, who served on the United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, stated in regards to the Citi Field naming rights deal, "This type of spending is indefensible and unacceptable to Citigroup's new partner and largest investor: the American taxpayer.... I strongly urge Citigroup to find a way out of this contract and instead spend that $400 million on retaining its employees and restoring confidence in its operations."[65] [66] [67] The Wall Street Journal reported on February 3, 2009, that Citigroup considered breaking the naming rights deal. Instead, Citi stated that no government TARP funds would be used in the sponsorship deal.[68] The naming rights controversy reemerged in a New York Times opinion piece when details about owner Fred Wilpon's involvement in Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme came to light and a lawsuit was filed on behalf of victims of Madoff's investment scandal in 2011.[69] Citigroup paid back the loan in full, with interest, by 2014.[70]

Notable events

Notable baseball games

Soccer matches

Citi Field has hosted international soccer friendlies since shortly after it opened. It was a host venue for the 2011 World Football Challenge.

New York City FC played Major League Soccer matches at Citi Field in 2017 and 2019, when conflicts with the Yankees' schedule caused their regular home Yankee Stadium to be unavailable.[81] [82] Beginning with the 2022 season, NYCFC has used Citi Field as a part-time home field, hosting nearly half their home matches.[83] The club plans to build its own soccer-specific stadium directly across the street from the ballpark, to open in 2027.[84]

DateWinning TeamResultLosing TeamTournamentSpectators
June 7, 20111–1Friendly39,656
July 26, 2011 Juventus1–0 Club AméricaWorld Football Challenge20,859
August 15, 20123–0Friendly31,901
June 2, 20132–026,170
October 22, 2017 New York City FC2–2 Columbus CrewMajor League Soccer20,113
October 23, 2019 Toronto FC2–1 New York City FCMajor League Soccer19,829
April 24, 2022 New York City FC5–4 Toronto FCMajor League Soccer17,626
May 7, 2022 New York City FC0–0 Sporting Kansas CityMajor League Soccer15,031
May 22, 2022 New York City FC1–0 Chicago Fire FCMajor League Soccer18,823
September 7, 2022 New York City FC1–1 FC CincinnatiMajor League Soccer14,248
October 17, 2022 New York City FC3–0 Inter MiamiMajor League Soccer18,066[85]
April 15, 2023 New York City FC2–1 Nashville SCMajor League Soccer18,687
April 22, 2023 New York City FC3–1 FC DallasMajor League Soccer20,922
May 27, 2023 Philadelphia Union3–1 New York City FCMajor League Soccer22,830
July 5, 2023 New York City FC1–1 Charlotte FCMajor League Soccer15,122
July 23, 2023 Club Atlas1–0 New York City FC2023 Leagues Cup22,267
August 20, 2023 Minnesota United FC2–0 New York City FCMajor League Soccer18,606
September 20, 2023 New York City FC2–0 Orlando City SCMajor League Soccer15,238

Other sports events

Concerts

Mets Concert Series post-game concerts (2012–2016)

Between 2012 and 2016, the Mets had a post-game concert series entitled "Mets Concert Series" after selected games. Unlike the concerts where the performance was the sole attraction of the evening, "Mets Concert Series" events were considered promotional dates, and admission to the concert was included in the price of the game ticket. The stage was set up in shallow center field.

COVID-19 pandemic

On January 12, 2021, the Mets and the Mayor Bill De Blasio announced that Citi Field would become a mass vaccination center during the COVID-19 pandemic beginning on January 25. Originally located in the Delta Club, the location was later moved to the former site of McFadden's. Run by the city's public hospital system, the site administered over 200,000 vaccinations.[97]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Smilow. Jeffrey. Thompson. Allen. August 2009. New Era in New York. Modern Steel Construction. September 19, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111226130520/http://modernsteel.com/Uploads/Issues/August_2009/082009_mets.pdf. December 26, 2011. dead.
  2. Web site: New York City FC Announces Citi Field Series for 2020 Season. New York City Football Club. December 17, 2019. "New York City FC today announced that the Club has moved four regular season games to Citi Field for the upcoming 2020 MLS season.".
  3. News: Mets Hope New Design at Citi Field Brings Back the Long Ball. Ken. Belson. Richard. Sandomir. The New York Times. April 3, 2012. April 4, 2012.
  4. News: American 3, National 0. MLB.com. July 16, 2013. July 16, 2013.
  5. Web site: Boxscore: Kansas City vs. New York, Game 3. October 24, 2015. October 24, 2015.
  6. Web site: Cain's winless streak reaches 12, Giants lose to Mets 6-5 . Walker, Ben . April 30, 2016 . The News & Observer . April 30, 2016 .
  7. Web site: Private/Public Cost Breakdown for New Yankees/Mets Stadiums . September 17, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160328074726/http://www.fieldofschemes.com/documents/Yanks-Mets-costs.pdf . March 28, 2016 .
  8. News: As Stadiums Rise, So Do Costs to Taxpayers. Charles V.. Bagli. The New York Times. November 4, 2008. January 9, 2010.
  9. News: As Stadiums' Costs Rise, City Agrees to New Bond Offerings. Bagli. Charles V.. December 8, 2008. The New York Times. January 9, 2010.
  10. News: Fans Savor Sneak Peek of Citi Field, Even if Mets Aren't There. Robinson. Joshua. March 29, 2009. The New York Times. February 25, 2010.
  11. News: Two Exhibition Games Set for Citi Field. Anthony. DiComo. MLB.com. December 17, 2008. October 6, 2009.
  12. News: Mets to Host 2013 All-Star Game at Citi. Field. DiComo. Anthony. May 16, 2012. Mets.com. May 16, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120523043243/http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120516&content_id=31423894&vkey=news_nym&c_id=nym. May 23, 2012. dead.
  13. Book: Smith, Curt. Curt Smith (author). Storied Stadiums. registration. 2001. Carroll & Graf. New York City. 0-7867-1187-6.
  14. News: Mets Unveil Model Stadium: Its Roof Moves, as Does Grass. Richard. Sandomir. The New York Times. April 24, 1998. May 21, 2010.
  15. News: Bonus Season for Baseball. The New York Times. January 17, 2002. October 3, 2009.
  16. News: Bagli. Charles V.. Bloomberg Says Details On Stadiums Were Omitted. The New York Times. January 16, 2002. October 3, 2009.
  17. News: Levy. Nicole. Chiwaya. Nigel. How NYC's Failed 2012 Olympic Bid Shaped the City We Live in Today. DNAinfo.com. August 16, 2016. August 17, 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160817071131/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160816/midtown/how-nycs-failed-2012-olympic-bid-shaped-city-we-live-today. August 17, 2016.
  18. News: Bagli . Charles V. . Cooper . Michael . Olympic Bid Hurt as New York Fails in West Side Stadium Quest . 13 September 2020 . . 7 June 2005.
  19. News: Citi Field Nearing Completion. Barry M.. Bloom. MLB.com. September 27, 2008. October 6, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20120320045544/http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080927&content_id=3559392&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym. March 20, 2012. dead.
  20. News: Shpigel. Ben. Citi Field Starting to Look Like a Real Ballpark. The New York Times. December 2, 2008. December 3, 2008.
  21. News: Mets Renovating Bullpen Area at Citi Field. Brian. Costa. The Star-Ledger. Newark. November 13, 2009. November 13, 2009.
  22. New York Mets. November 21, 2009. Mets Expand Club Presence at Citi Field. November 22, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20160111164116/http://www.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20091121&content_id=7698126&vkey=pr_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym. January 11, 2016. dead. mdy-all.
  23. News: Rubin. Adam. Mets' Citi Field to Become More Homer-Friendly Next Season; Center-Field Wall Gets Chopped to 8 Feet. Daily News. New York. February 9, 2010. February 9, 2010.
  24. News: Mets Ready to Move Citi Field Fences. Mike. Puma. New York Post. September 21, 2011. September 21, 2011.
  25. Web site: Source: Citi Field changes on tap. October 21, 2011. October 21, 2011. Adam. Rubin. ESPNNewYork.com.
  26. Web site: Citi Field | New York Mets . October 31, 2011 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161119125101/http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/ballpark/information/index.jsp?content=new_outfield . November 19, 2016 .
  27. Web site: The official Twitter account for the New York Mets. . twitter.com . 22 March 2019 . en . 21 March 2019 . @CitiField is getting a permanent address change! We will be officially renaming 126th Street to honor #TomSeaver. More info to come at a later date. #Mets.
  28. Web site: Puma . Mike . Paterson . Blake . Perez . Chris . Mets' Tom Seaver honors begin with Citi Field address . nypost.com . . 22 March 2019 . en . 21 March 2019 . Citi Field’s permanent address will become 41 Seaver Way for the jersey number Tom Terrific wore, the sources said..
  29. Web site: Joyce . Greg . Mets' Citi Field construction underway to move right-field fence in . nypost.com . . April 13, 2023. en . December 15, 2022.
  30. Web site: Mets unveils new Citi Field scoreboard, which is largest in MLB. March 24, 2023. April 13, 2023. Sports Business Journal.
  31. News: Citi Field – The Amazin' New Ballpark. August 26, 2009. New York. Daily News. July 9, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090509155458/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/citifield/index.html. May 9, 2009.
  32. Book: Lupica, Matt. The Baseball Stadium Insider: A Comprehensive Dissection of All Thirty Ballparks, the Legendary Players, and the Memorable Moments. 2012. iUniverse. United States. 9781462083664. 480.
  33. News: Pepsi Porch Great for Mets Fans, but Maybe Not for Ryan Church. Bill. Price. Daily News. New York. April 12, 2009. October 3, 2009.
  34. News: For Mets Fans, a Menu Beyond Peanuts and Cracker Jack. Glenn. Collins. The New York Times. March 24, 2009. March 24, 2009.
  35. New York Mets. April 15, 2009. Robinson family, Mets, Citi, Jackie Robinson Foundation, Major League Baseball, Government Leaders Dedicate Jackie Robinson Rotunda at Citi Field. October 6, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20110615153122/http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090415&content_id=4279616&vkey=pr_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym. June 15, 2011. dead. mdy-all.
  36. News: Two MN Companies Keep Baseball Tradition Alive. https://web.archive.org/web/20090124022741/http://keyc.com/node/16362. dead. January 24, 2009. KEYC-TV News. January 20, 2009. October 6, 2009.
  37. News: Home Run Apple A Core Value for Mets Fans. Laura. Albanese. Newsday. March 26, 2010. March 27, 2010.
  38. News: With Seaver statue at Citi, 'The Franchise' lives forever . Bill. Ladson. MLB.com. April 15, 2022. April 15, 2022.
  39. Web site: Botte . Peter . Mets unveil overdue Tom Seaver statue outside Citi Field . April 15, 2022 . New York Post . December 10, 2022.
  40. Web site: Citi Field Information: A-to-Z Guide. New York Mets. September 3, 2011.
  41. Web site: Citi Field Fan Map: Field Level. New York Mets. September 3, 2011.
  42. Mets and Aramark Unveil All-Star Dining Line-up for 2010 at Citi Field. March 24, 2010. New York Mets. March 26, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100511132744/http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20100324&content_id=8894246&vkey=pr_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym. May 11, 2010. dead. mdy-all.
  43. News: Mets Unveil Asian, Korean and Chinese Food Samples at CitiField World's Fair Market. Dan. Miller. The Queens Gazette. September 23, 2009. March 26, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20110726141728/http://www.qgazette.com/news/2009-09-23/Sports/Mets_Unveil_Asian_Korean_and_Chinese_Food_Samples_.html. July 26, 2011. dead.
  44. News: Fernandez. Manny. Buy Me Some Peanuts and Nectarines. The New York Times. August 29, 2009. October 3, 2009.
  45. New York Mets. February 25, 2010. McFadden's Restaurant and Saloon To Open at Citi Field. February 5, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120403013822/http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20100225&content_id=8136678&vkey=pr_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym. April 3, 2012. dead. mdy-all.
  46. Web site: Welcome – McFadden's Ballpark NY. Mcfaddenscitifield.com. September 3, 2011.
  47. New York Mets. April 1, 2010. Mets Hall of Fame & Museum opens this Monday, April 5, Opening Day at Citi Field. April 2, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20110615132939/http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20100401&content_id=9041358&vkey=pr_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym. June 15, 2011. dead.
  48. Nachman, Corey (June 9, 2011). "The 100 Best Venues In Sports" . Business Insider.
  49. Sin, Yvo (July 12, 2013). "The 9 Best Eats At Citi Field, 2013" . CBS News.
  50. Castellano, Rob (May 17, 2011). "Citi Field Food: A Taste Of The Citi" . SB Nation.
  51. Castellano, Rob (April 2, 2012). "An In-Depth Look At The Newest Options In Citi Field Food" . SB Nation.
  52. News: Many Fans Unhappy With Bad Views at Citi Field. Katie. Strang. Newsday. April 13, 2009. October 3, 2009.
  53. News: A Tale of Two New Ballparks. Mark. Herrmann. Newsday. July 13, 2009. October 3, 2009.
  54. News: Shea hey, fans protest: Mets faithful say new Citi Field pays too much tribute to Ebbets. Nicholas. Hirshon. Daily News. New York. April 20, 2009. July 10, 2012.
  55. Web site: Pictures of New Wall and Dimensions at Citi Field | MetsBlog.com . July 6, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120502213822/http://www.metsblog.com/2011/10/31/pictures-of-new-wall-and-dimensions-at-citi-field/ . May 2, 2012 .
  56. News: Mets Adding More Mets to Citi Field. Adam. Rubin. Daily News. New York. August 14, 2009. October 6, 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090819160211/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/2009/08/mets-adding-more-mets-to-citi.html. August 19, 2009.
  57. News: Citi Field's Fingerprints All Over Wright's and Bay's Numbers. Jay. Schreiber. The New York Times. May 11, 2010. May 12, 2010.
  58. News: New Mets Regime Ready for Year of Change. Adam. DiComo. MLB.com. January 1, 2011. January 5, 2011.
  59. News: Former Met Jeff Francoeur, Now With Royals, Calls Citi Field 'A Damn Joke'; Mets Get Bullpen Help. Anthony. McCarron. Daily News. New York. January 22, 2011. January 22, 2011.
  60. News: David Wright's spectacular 2012 campaign started in Port St. Lucie, Fla., where he found time to reevaluate swing. John. Harper. Daily News. New York. July 7, 2012. July 10, 2012.
  61. Web site: Take The "Train Of Many Colors" To The Mets' World Series Games. Chung, Jen. 31 October 2015. The Gothamist. 6 December 2022.
  62. News: Wolf. Barnet D.. The Name Game: Company Banners Flying on More College Stadiums, Arenas. The Columbus Dispatch. April 29, 2007. May 20, 2007.
  63. News: Mets Honor Robinson at New Home. Daily News. New York. November 14, 2006. November 14, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20070427025941/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2006/11/14/2006-11-14_mets_honor_robinson_at_new_home.html. April 27, 2007.
  64. News: Pols Want New Name for Mets Home: Citi/Taxpayer Field. USA Today. November 26, 2008. November 26, 2008. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081220084108/https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/mets/2008-11-25-citi-field_N.htm. December 20, 2008.
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  66. News: Cummings. Elijah. Citigroup's Spending Indefensible and Unacceptable. The Huffington Post. November 14, 2008 . November 25, 2008.
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  68. News: Citi Explores Breaking Mets Deal. David. Enrich. Matthew. Futterman. Damian. Paletta. The Wall Street Journal. February 3, 2009. February 3, 2009.
  69. News: At Citi Field, Stains Are Not From the Grass. The New York Times. February 7, 2011. February 8, 2011. Clyde. Haberman.
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  72. News: Sheffield Joins Elite Club With No. 500. MLB.com. Ghiroli. Brittany. April 18, 2009. June 26, 2009.
  73. News: Burnett Looks Sharp as He Prepares for First Postseason. David. Waldstein. The New York Times. September 29, 2009. October 3, 2009.
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  76. Web site: No-han! Santana twirls first no-no in Mets history. Miller. Steven. June 1, 2012. MLB.com. June 1, 2012. November 8, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121108230157/http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_06_01_slnmlb_nynmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=nym. dead.
  77. Web site: Santana no-no a long time coming for Mets. June 1, 2012. ESPN. June 2, 2012.
  78. Web site: Mets' Alonso hits 53rd HR, breaking rookie record. September 29, 2019. ESPN.com. January 15, 2023.
  79. Web site: Alonso. Nathalie. Águilas sweeps inaugural Titans of Caribbean series. Major League Baseball. November 13, 2023.
  80. News: Feldman. Kate. Dominican winter league at Citi Field brings back pure joy of baseball, at least for a weekend. CBS Sports. November 13, 2023.
  81. Web site: Das . Andrew . N.Y.C.F.C. Ties at Citi Field but Still Claims Playoff Bye . . 16 April 2024 . 22 October 2017.
  82. Web site: Bogert . Tom . NYCFC to play Conference Semifinals match at Citi Field . mlssoccer.com . Major League Soccer . 16 April 2024 . 16 October 2019.
  83. Web site: New York City FC Announce 2022 MLS Regular Season Schedule . newyorkcityfc.com . New York City FC . 16 April 2024 . 15 December 2021.
  84. Web site: NYCFC stadium next to Citi Field approved by NY City Council . . ESPN . 16 April 2024 . 11 April 2024.
  85. News: mlssoccer.com. October 17, 2017. NYCvsMIA 10-17-2022 – 2022 MLS Match Recap . October 18, 2022.
  86. News: New York Mets. December 17, 2012. Citi Field to host Metropolitan Lacrosse Classic. December 17, 2012.
  87. News: Holy Cross. March 17, 2013. Lacrosse Box Score (Final). https://web.archive.org/web/20150403144336/http://goholycross.com/sports/m-lacros/stats/2012-2013/hc07.htm. dead. April 3, 2015. March 17, 2013.
  88. News: Colgate. March 17, 2013. Colgate 10 vs Michigan 7. March 17, 2013.
  89. News: CBSSports.com. Benjamin. Cody. May 12, 2017. Sabres 'hosting' 2018 Winter Classic vs. Rangers reportedly saves MSG $40M . August 2, 2017.
  90. News: Limerick reach New York Hurling Classic final but suffer defeat to Kilkenny . Limerick Leader . 16 November 2019 . 16 November 2019.
  91. News: McCartney Plays First Citi Field Concert. July 18, 2009 . AP. CBS News. October 3, 2009.
  92. Web site: Paul McCartney: Good Evening New York City. Boilen, Bob. NPR. November 13, 2009. October 13, 2018.
  93. 2016-07-26 . Current Boxscore Billboard . . 2023-11-13 . July 26, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160726174342/http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore/ . bot: unknown .
  94. Web site: BillboardBiz-Current Boxscore. https://web.archive.org/web/20170913020218/http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore. dead. 2017-09-13. Billboard.com. Billboard. March 19, 2023.
  95. News: Gamboa. Glenn. October 7, 2018. BTS Makes Impressive Citi Field Debut. Newsday. January 15, 2023.
  96. Bachata's King Stays King: Romeo Santos Reigns During Three-Hour, Career-Spanning Citi Field Show. Alvarez, Rosy. June 11, 2023. June 11, 2023. Rolling Stone.
  97. News: Vaccine for All: Mayor de Blasio and the New York Mets Announce Over 200,000 Vaccinations Administered at Citi Field . NYC Health + Hospitals . 1 September 2021 . 14 July 2022.

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