Metlife Stadium packed house full throttle

Article posted by Coliseum, July 14^th, 2021

Image: MetLife Stadium (Twitter)

MetLife Stadium (US) is putting newly implemented stadium safe protocols in place to greet fans back to the stadium fold for all upcoming events including the National Football League (NFL) teams New York Giants and New York Jets games.

MetLife Stadium has returned to 100 percent capacity in the seating bowl, suites and clubs for all events with no physical distancing requirements. It is no longer mask mandatory to get ingress to the facility and guests are not required to show a negative COVID-19 test or provide proof of vaccination to enter the venue.

The 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium is a stadium at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, 5 mi West of New York City (US). Opened in 2010 to replace Giants Stadium, the stadium serves as the home for the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL).

Apply for membership

The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league’s National Football Conference East division.

The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Jets compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference East division.

‘MetLife Stadium’ stated that to reduce touchpoints, MetLife Stadium has implemented mobile ticketing upon entry and cash-free transactions at all concession stands and retail spaces. Giants and Jets games will also offer guests mobile ordering and ‘Grab and Go’ food and beverage options.

The NFL season at MetLife Stadium kicks off on August 14^th when the Giants face the Jets in their first preseason game. This will be the first NFL game with fans in attendance at MetLife Stadium since the Giants-Eagles game on December 29^th, 2019. Other upcoming events include Monster Jam on July 17^th, American hard rock band Guns N’ Roses performance on August 5^th, Hot 97 Summer Jam (annual hip-hop festival held in New Jersey) on August 22^nd, and the Army-Navy Game on December 11^th.

The NFL 2021-2022 seasons is starting on September 9^th, 2021 and will conclude on January 9^th, 2022.

The National Football League is a professional American football league consisting of 32 teams, divided equally between the National Football Conference and the American Football Conference.

The Army-Navy Game is an American college football rivalry game between the Army Black Knights of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and the Navy Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

Stadium safe protocols

Safety first

Face masks are not mandatory for getting ingress to the arena. However, in keeping with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, guests who are not fully vaccinated should continue to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces such as clubs, suites, elevators, and restrooms;
Guests are not required to show a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination to enter the facility; and
Guests are reminded that masks are mandatory on public transportation systems including NJ transit rail and Coach USA bus, and rideshare/taxi services.

Robust ambience

By entering MetLife Stadium, guests are confirming that they have not been exposed to COVID-19, are not experiencing any COVID-19 related symptoms as identified by the CDC or have a temperature of 100.4°F or greater. Guests are not required to show a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination to enter the stadium. If guests feel ill or are experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms, they should stay home;
Once inside the stadium precincts, guests experiencing any COVD-19 related symptoms should notify the nearest Guests Services Representative; and
Assumption of Risk – Notwithstanding the efforts of MetLife Stadium, an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 and its variants exists in any public place where people are present. MetLife Stadium cannot guarantee a guest will not be exposed during their visit. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. By visiting MetLife Stadium, guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and its variants.

Digital ticketing

MetLife Stadium has returned to 100 percent capacity in the seating bowl, suites and clubs for all events. Seat locations have not been affected for Giants or Jets season ticket members and suite holders;
Digital tickets are the safest way for guests to receive and manage tickets as they eliminate touchpoints. To facilitate contactless entry, all tickets for MetLife Stadium events will be delivered digitally and scanned from guests’ smartphones at the gates;
Before arriving at MetLife Stadium, download the Giants app, Jets app or Ticketmaster app and be sure your phone is fully charged. Upon arrival, connect to the complimentary WiFi network and have your ticket displayed on your mobile device;
Guests can display more than one ticket on the same smartphone; and
Digital tickets are protected by Ticketmaster’s SafeTix™ technology that continually generates a new and unique barcode that automatically refreshes every few seconds so the barcode cannot be stolen or copied. As a result, camera screenshots or paper printouts will not work. If he or she places his/her digital ticket in their mobile wallet, no barcode will be visible – however, the scanners will detect it.

Touchless ‘n’ contactless

To reduce touchpoints, MetLife Stadium is now a cash-free venue. NO CASH will be accepted at concession stands and retail locations;
Visa is the preferred form of payment at MetLife Stadium. Guests are requested to pay with a debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover) using tap to pay, chip or swipe, or mobile payment, including Apple Pay and Google Pay;
For guests who bring cash to the stadium, reverse ATMs are available onsite to load cash onto a prepaid Visa debit card valid for in-stadium purchases. This service is free of charge to guests. The Visa debit card has no expiration date and any remaining balance can be used anywhere a Visa debit card is accepted;
Reverse ATMs are in MetLife West Hall and outside Sections 117, 128, 149, 220a, 245a, 304, 322, 334, and 347;
Giants and Jets games will offer guests ‘Grab and Go’ food and beverage options and mobile ordering. ‘Grab N’ Go’ locations are in MetLife West Hall and Sections 117, 133, 144, 306, and 330. For mobile ordering, guests can use the Giants app or Jets app on their smartphone to order and pay for concessions from their seat and then pick up the order at a designated concession stand;
Empty reusable plastic or aluminum water bottles are allowed and can be filled up at water fountains in the stadium; and
Food may be brought into the stadium provided it is contained in a clear plastic bag. Factory-sealed plastic bottles of water or soft drinks (up to 20 oz.) are also permitted (limit 1 bottle per person).

Squeaky clean

Enhanced and frequent cleaning and disinfecting protocols have been implemented throughout the arena including the use of electrostatic sprayers and hospital-grade cleaning supplies;
High-touch surfaces and high-traffic areas are continuously monitored and cleaned with CDC-approved cleaning products before, after and periodically throughout each event;
Attendants are stationed in each restroom to clean and disinfect throughout the event;
Over 450 hand sanitizer dispensers are widely available throughout the stadium at entrance gates, concourses, clubs, elevators, and restrooms for guests and event staff to use. Guests may also bring in their own bottle of hand sanitizer (up to 6 oz.) and disinfecting wipes; and
MetLife Stadium is an open-air venue. For all interior spaces, operational steps have been taken to maximize system ventilation rates. All facility heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) filtration systems have been upgraded to Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV-13) or MERV-15 air filters.

Total foolproof

All MetLife Stadium event staff has received special training on CDC recommended guidelines and its Stadium Safe procedures; and
Event Staff are required to complete a health questionnaire and temperature check on-site before reporting for work.

Parking dos

Parking lots open five hours prior to the scheduled event time;
Tailgating is permitted in all MetLife Sports Complex parking lots, unless otherwise designated;
ONE CAR = ONE SPACE: Please be considerate of your fellow guests. Tailgating should be limited to the lined parking space and the area directly behind or in front of each vehicle. Blocking drive lanes is prohibited. Tailgating is also permitted on the medians that separate the parking lots from the roadways; and
For Jets and Giants games, a prepaid parking pass is required. There are two tiers – Platinum for Lots E-F-G, and Gold for all other lots. For non-NFL events, parking is available on a first come, first served basis and the parking fee is paid onsite (cash or credit card).

Bag policy

To continue to provide a safe experience, guests may carry one bag that is clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and no larger than 12”x12”x6”, or a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar);
A small purse or wallet no larger than 4.5”x6.5” with or without a handle or strap, is permitted in addition to the clear plastic bag; and
Bags that do not meet these specifications can be checked-in at the venue’s bag check trailers (located outside each open gate).

Monster Jam

The ‘Metlife Stadium’ further stated that Monster Jam®!, the most action-packed motorsports experience for families in the world today returns to East Rutherford (New Jersey) for a high-octane weekend at MetLife Stadium on July 17^th and the facility will be at full strength. Monster Jam®, making its first New Jersey stop following a pandemic pause, features the ultimate mix of high-flying action and four-wheel excitement.

In Monster Jam, professional monster truck drivers compete against each other in races and freestyle competitions around the world to win the top prize.

Feld Entertainment Inc. is an American live show production company which owns a number of traveling shows. The company began with the now-defunct Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus then expanded into additional live events, including Disney On Ice, Monster Jam, AMA Supercross Championship, and Sesame Street Live. The company is family-owned.

Magnus Danielsson, Vice-President, International Motor Sports, FELD Entertainment, US, is a Member of Coliseum – Global Sports Venue Alliance.

Tickets start at $25 with Monster Jam Preferred Customers able to purchase advance tickets which started on June 8th, before tickets go on sale to the general public on June 15^th.

As the pandemic recovery progresses, Monster Jam is monitoring changes to Government mandates, public health guidelines and industry standards and is working closely with Metlife Stadium’s venue partners to adjust protocols for the safety and wellness of guests based on State and local requirements.

Face coverings have been strongly encouraged and may be required per venue policies. One must wear a face covering if one is not fully vaccinated, as recommended by the CDC.

The Monster Jam Pit Party will return to East Rutherford on the afternoon of July 17^th. At the Monster Jam Pit Party, one can see the massive trucks up close, watch live pre-race interviews and participate in Q&As with the drivers, get pre-signed autograph cards, take pictures and enjoy other family-friendly fun. Face covering rules apply.

Monster Jam has reimagined the live event guest experience and created contactless shopping for fans to order merchandise in advance or onsite from the comfort of their seat. Once ordered, guests can pick up their items at a convenient, contactless pickup station during the live event.

East Rutherford fans will witness a fierce battle for the event championship with each skilled Monster Jam athlete tearing up the dirt with gravity-defying feats in 12,000-pound Monster Jam trucks going head-to-head for points in Freestyle, the Skills Challenge and Racing competitions. Plus, fans can become part of the action by voting for the winner in the Skills Challenge and Freestyle competitions via real-time, in-stadium fan voting on their smartphones.

The all-star truck lineup will feature multiple fan favorites including Adam Anderson returning in his black and green recking machine, the legendary Grave Digger®. 12-time Monster Jam World Finals® champion Tom Meents will be competing in Max-D™ while Todd LeDuc aims to crush the competition in Monster Energy®.

Adding to this world-class roster is GUINNESS WORLD RECORD title holder Bryce Kenny in Great Clips Mohawk Warrior®, featured in the August Discovery Channel TV special Monster Jam: Breaking World Records. Two-time Monster Jam World Finals® champion, Ryan Anderson, gets behind the wheel of Bakugan Dragonoid™ in a limited-time, special appearance. Tristan England competes in Megalodon® and Kayla Blood makes her 2021 Monster Jam return in Soldier Fortune. Bryan Wright vies for the championship in Hooked, while Buddy Tompkins returns in Xtermigator and Jack Brown competes in FTI Torque, respectively. Monster Mutt® Dalmatian-Galaxy and Stone Crusher round out the epic 12-truck lineup.

Monster Jam drivers are trained, world-class male and female athletes who have mastered not only the physical strength and mental stamina needed to compete, but the vital dexterity to control 12,000-pound machines capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills and racing at speeds up to 70 miles per hour to produce jaw-dropping, live motorsports action seen around the world.

Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.

Become a member of the only Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and experts from around the world. Apply for membership at coliseum-online.com/alliance and make use of the 365Coliseum Business.

Watch 250 member-exclusive videos with valuable tips for your venue