Citi Field

The story of Citi Field is inseparable from its predecessor, Shea Stadium, which served as the Mets' home from 1964 to 2008 and stood directly adjacent to the current site.

Construction and opening

Plans for a new stadium were approved in the early 2000s. Populous designed the building with deliberate references to classic East Coast ballparks — the brick facade was inspired by Ebbets Field, the former home of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Construction ran from 2006 to 2009, and the stadium opened on 16 April 2009 with the Mets' first home game of the season. Shea Stadium was demolished in the months following the opening, clearing the site for additional parking.

Major renovations

Early adjustments included reconfiguring the seating bowl behind home plate to improve sightlines. In 2012, the interior branding was overhauled to more prominently feature Mets history and iconography. Subsequent improvements added new food and beverage options, upgraded LED lighting systems, and expanded premium club areas.

Notable moments

The 2015 World Series was the defining moment in Citi Field's history — the Mets reached the Fall Classic for the first time since 2000, filling the stadium with postseason electricity before ultimately losing to the Kansas City Royals. The 2013 MLB All-Star Game brought the sport's biggest names to Queens and gave the stadium a showcase moment on the national stage.

Citi Field has developed a distinct identity as the working-class counterpart to Yankee Stadium across the East River — a ballpark that feels rooted in the community of Queens rather than corporate New York.

Fan culture

Mets supporters — the Met faithful — are known for passionate loyalty through extended periods without championships. The fanbase draws heavily from Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island, giving the park a different demographic feel from its crosstown rival. A unique quirk of the ballpark experience is the constant presence of LaGuardia Airport flight paths directly overhead, with planes passing low over the outfield during games — an unmistakably New York detail. The iconic Home Run Apple, which rises from behind the center field fence on every Mets home run, is one of MLB's most recognisable ballpark traditions and dates to the Shea Stadium era.

Big matches

The 2015 NLCS and World Series transformed Citi Field into a cauldron of emotion: the Mets swept the Chicago Cubs in the Championship Series, and postseason nights drew capacity crowds of over 40,000 roaring fans. The 2013 All-Star Game saw the park fill with baseball's elite, marking Citi Field's arrival as one of MLB's premier venues. Every late-season pennant race game between the Mets and rival teams — particularly the Atlanta Braves or Philadelphia Phillies — generates some of the loudest atmospheres the stadium produces.

Getting to Citi Field is straightforward from Manhattan and most of New York City, making it one of the more accessible MLB venues in the league.

How to get there

• Subway: Line 7 (Flushing Line), station Mets-Willets Point — direct from Times Square in approximately 25 minutes; by far the most convenient option
• LIRR (Long Island Rail Road): Mets-Willets Point station is shared with the subway line and serves fans from Long Island
• Car: Parking lots surrounding the stadium are available but fill quickly; expect congestion before and after sellout games

Tickets and tours

Tickets are sold through the official New York Mets website, Ticketmaster, and the secondary market (StubHub). Regular-season games are generally accessible; playoff and rivalry games sell out rapidly. The stadium offers guided Ballpark Tours that include the field, dugout access, and exhibits on Mets history.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive: 45–60 minutes before first pitch; watching batting practice from the stands is a worthwhile early arrival bonus
• Food: Citi Field is well-regarded among MLB ballparks for its food variety — classic hot dogs and nachos alongside New York-specific options
• Clothing: Summer games can be very hot; April and October games can be cold — dressing in layers is advisable