Canadian football fans need to travel if they want to experience an NFL game, and New York is a good choice for all sorts of reasons, as the city is set up for handling visitors from around the world, and making the short hop to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey isn’t a big ask. Even so, being well prepared for such a trip if you’re a first-timer is a must, so here’s a quick look at what you’ll need to account for on your itinerary.
Fly or Drive
Depending on your starting point and budget, flying might be the easiest option, especially if you’re from Canada’s western reaches. Airport choice is split between Newark Liberty, which is around 15 miles from MetLife Stadium and has direct flights from a few Canadian airports, including Toronto Pearson International, or one of New York’s own airports, whether LaGuardia or JFK. Picking one of the latter two is a better choice if you’re intending to stay in Manhattan itself, but it does mean it will take you longer to get to and from MetLife come game day.
Driving is a good alternative, especially if you want to go tailgating on arrival. You’ll need to bear in mind that New York has quite a few toll roads, and you might get stung by a charge if you’re not prepared. Getting an EZ-Pass transponder for your car solves this and is a wise move if you’re going to be traveling to New York by road regularly.
Reaching MetLife
As mentioned, the Jets and Giants actually play in a stadium in New Jersey, which can be a bit confusing for first-timers who might expect them to be based in NYC. So getting to MetLife on the day of the game shouldn’t be attempted on foot or by taxi. Instead, take a train from Penn Station to Secaucus Junction, then jump on the Meadowlands Rail Line, which you can do on one ticket, and it will get you as close to the stadium as possible.
Drivers can use the various parking lots set up around the MetLife complex, and tailgating is officially permitted, apart from in a few designated areas. There are rules and regulations to follow, so read up on them ahead of your visit and stick to them. And even if you don’t drive, tailgating activities are open to all, so feel free to wander in from the train as well and be sure to stop by and see your friends at Away Game Tailgate.
Take Note of Stadium Rules
Aside from tailgating, there are many other rules associated with a MetLife Stadium visit you need to know before you go. First, only clear bags are allowed for security reasons, although small clutches and purses may be brought inside. Second, you’ll need to show your physical passport to purchase alcohol, and a driver’s license won’t be sufficient to prove your age. Third, MetLife’s concession stands don’t take cash, so it’s card or phone payments only.
Also, if you’re already familiar with gambling on NFL in Canada, the good news is that you can also do so while in New Jersey to see the Giants play. You just need to be physically within the state and use one of the many locally licensed sportsbooks to place bets.
With that, you should be set to start planning your very own trip from Canada to MetLife, soaking up the sights and sounds of a game day without the stress.
