This stadium is the result of a dream that began in the 90s and was realized in 2009. The Mets were searching for a new home and found it right behind the left field of the old Shea Stadium. Today, Citi Field is not just a sports arena; it’s a place where the past speaks to the future in the language of baseball. Read on i-new-york.com for more about this prominent New York sports venue.
The Evolution of the New York Mets’ Baseball Arena
Since the 1990s, the New York Mets baseball team had been dreaming of a new stadium. The old Shea Stadium, built in 1964 as a multi-purpose venue, had long been inadequate for baseball’s needs. In 1998, the Mets unveiled a design for a future stadium with a retractable roof and a movable turf field, which would allow it to host not only baseball games but also concerts and basketball tournaments. Options for construction were considered in Long Island, Queens, or the West Side of Manhattan.
In December 2001, Mayor Rudy Giuliani announced plans to build new stadiums for both the Mets and the Yankees. Half of the funds ($1.6 billion) were to be provided by city and state taxpayers, and the teams would retain the revenue from tickets and parking. The proposal drew criticism, with business leaders calling it “too generous” for already successful clubs. When Michael Bloomberg became mayor, he canceled these agreements and refused to finance new stadiums for the teams with public money.
The final design for the new baseball arena, which we know today as Citi Field, emerged partly from New York’s bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games. Construction began in 2006 in the parking lot behind Shea Stadium’s left field, and by 2008–2009, the famous Jackie Robinson Rotunda, the arched windows, and the main structure of the stadium were complete. Citi Field opened at the start of the 2009 MLB season, preserving the historical motifs of the old arena while incorporating modern technology and spectator comfort.
The stadium underwent several modifications: the location of the bullpens was changed, new sections for fans were added, and the field dimensions were adjusted to allow for more home runs. In 2019, the stadium’s official address was renamed 41 Seaver Way in honor of legendary pitcher Tom Seaver. In 2023, a massive new scoreboard was installed, and the right field fence was updated, creating an even larger and more convenient viewing angle for spectators.
The entire journey from the old Shea to the modern Citi Field was filled with controversy, political intrigue, financial challenges, and architectural ideas—and ultimately became a symbol of modern baseball in New York.
A Modern Stadium with the Soul of Baseball’s Past
Citi Field seats 41,922 spectators, 15,000 fewer than the old Shea Stadium, but every seat here feels the history and spirit of baseball. The green seats are a tribute to Polo Grounds, the former home of the Mets and other New York baseball giants, and the exterior red-brick facade recalls the legendary Ebbets Field, the beloved stadium of Brooklyn native Fred Wilpon.
The interior design is inspired by America’s best baseball parks, from PNC Park in Pittsburgh to Coors Fieldand Citizens Bank Park. A unique feature of Citi Field is the orange foul poles, a legacy from Shea, and the overall bridge motif in the architecture symbolizes New York’s connection to the past. The Mets serve as a bridge between the National League’s legendary teams—the Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers.
The stadium’s special zones are impressive in their detail: the Coca-Cola Corner in right field, the Party Deckin left, and the Delta Sky360 Club offers premium areas with 1,600 seats, restaurants, and lounges.
The main entrance is adorned by the Jackie Robinson Rotunda—a tribute to the baseball legend. Engraved on the floor are his nine values: Courage, Excellence, Persistence, Justice, Teamwork, Commitment, Citizenship, Determination, and Integrity, and an 8-foot sculpture with the number 42 commemorates his greatness.
And, of course, traditions from Shea Stadium were preserved. The Home Run Apple—a giant apple that rises after every home run—and a statue of legendary pitcher Tom Seaver, installed in Mets Plaza.
Citi Field combines retro-aesthetics with modern technology: a massive video board measuring 17,400 square feet, open concourses for walking, interactive museums, and the Mets Hall of Fame, which preserves the history of the team and its legendary players.
Citi Field is a place where the past meets the present, and every fan feels like part of a grand baseball history.
The Taste and Soul of Citi Field
Citi Field is not just a stadium in the heart of Queens; it’s an event. And if you only come here for the baseball game, you are missing out on a lot of pleasure. Because Citi Field is one of the most delicious stadiums in all of MLB, and overall one of the most interesting places to spend a baseball day in New York.
If you’re interested in the culinary side of New York, you don’t even have to leave the stadium. There are over 100 food and beverage locations: from classic hot dogs to filet mignon sandwiches and arepas with a Venezuelan twist.
Here are just a few “must-tries”:
- Shake Shack—cult-favorite burgers right behind the scoreboard.
- Fuku—spicy chicken sandwiches by David Chang.
- Pat LaFrieda’s Filet Mignon Sandwich—the signature sandwich with steak, cheese, and fried onions that has become a legend among fans.
- Taste of Queens—arepas, Korean chicken, sushi, and even Dole Whip in a signature Mets Apple cup.
The Mets Hall of Fame and Museum is a mandatory stop for fans. The Shea Bridge, the Piazza 31 Club, and the FanFest Zone for children—all of this transforms the stadium into a vibrant, interactive space.
Getting to the stadium is easy. City logistics are top-notch: the subway (Line No. 7, Mets-Willets Point station—right next to the stadium), and the Long Island Rail Road (stopping at the same station). Parking is also available, but driving to New York is always a lottery, especially during the US Open. Advice for drivers: park at the Skyview shopping center, it’s a 10-minute walk and half the price.
Mets fans are a story unto themselves. They are loud, witty, often sarcastic, but loyal. They aren’t afraid to show their emotions—both in the form of love and in the form of anger toward their own team. They are the ones who create that unique atmosphere of an “important event,” even when the opponent isn’t the strongest.
So, if you want to experience baseball in the atmosphere of the big city, sample the best food among all MLB stadiums, and feel the spirit of New York fans—Citi Field is worth every minute and dollar.
It’s a place where baseball is just the excuse, and the real show is all around: in the lines for burgers, in the emotional discussions in the fan zone, in the original humor of the fans, and in the enchanting chaos of the great city that lives right next door.
A Venue of Records and Vibrant Events
Citi Field first opened its doors to baseball in March 2009. The inaugural game was a college match between St. John’s and Georgetown, and the Mets debuted at their new stadium on April 3rd and 4th against the legendary Boston Red Sox. Since then, Citi Field has become a true arena for historic moments, including Gary Sheffield’s 500th home run and incredible saves by Mariano Rivera. Events from 2012–2015 were equally impressive: Johan Santana’s no-hitter—the first in Mets franchise history—two additional combined no-hitters, the first playoff games, and the World Series at Citi Field.
But baseball is only part of the magic here. Citi Field frequently transforms into a venue for international soccer, lacrosse, cricket, and even professional wrestling competitions. The Mets created their own series of post-game concerts, and the stadium has hosted numerous high-profile shows: from Paul McCartney and Beyoncé to BTS, Stray Kids, and Blackpink. Rolling Loud, Governors Ball, and concerts by rock legends like Green Day, Def Leppard, and Foo Fighters have cemented the stadium’s status as a musical Mecca.
Citi Field has witnessed not only sports and music events but also significant historical moments. In September 2011, the stadium commemorated the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it became a major mass vaccination center, where over 200,000 people received their shots.
This stadium is more than just a place to play—it unites sports, music, and culture, becoming an arena for records and memorable events. Every game or concert here feels like a special journey, full of emotion, adrenaline, and New York energy.