Sports fans visiting New York City will find no shortage of great athletic experiences. Whether you want to check out the city's baseball stadiums, experience the U.S. Open or check out some horse racing, New York City offers taste of just about everything.
Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesFour baseball teams, representing four of the five boroughs, call New York City home. The New York Yankees play in the American League East at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. The New York Mets play in the National League East at Citi Field in Flushing, Queens home. If you're looking for minor league baseball, you can catch the Brooklyn Cyclones at Key Span Park and the Staten Island Yankees at Richmond County Bank Ballpark in their respective boroughs. All four stadiums are easily accessible by public transportation from Manhattan.
2. Football in New York
Jeff Zelevansky/Getty ImagesWhile New York City doesn't have its own football stadium, there are two New York NFL teams -- the New York Jets and the New York Giants. Both New York football teams play in New Jersey, but it's just a few miles from midtown Manhattan and easily accessible by public transportation.
New York Jets:
Season: September - January
Stadium: Meadowlands, Secaucus, New Jersey
New York Giants
Season: September - January
Stadium: Giants Stadium, Secaucus, New Jersey
Tickets: $85-700
3. Hockey in New York
Chris Hondros/Getty ImagesIf you're coming to New York City hoping to catch a hockey game, seeing the New York Rangers face off against their opponents at Madison Square Garden is your best bet. Either that, or head to New Jersey to see the Devils play at the Prudential Center. The New York Islanders play at Nassau Coliseum, but it's tough to reach by public transportation.
New York Rangers:
Season: October - April
Where They Play: Madison Square Garden
Tickets: $30-1000+
New York Islanders:
Season: October - April
Where They Play: Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Long Island, NY
Tickets: $40-110
New Jersey Devils:
Season: October - April
Stadium: Prudential Center Newark, NJ
Tickets: $10-250
4. New York Basketball
Jim McIsaac/Getty ImagesThe New York area is home to three professional basketball teams -- the New York Knicks, the Brooklyn Nets and WNBA team, the New York Liberty. If you're more interested in basketball showmanship, you might be able to catch the famous Harlem Globetrotters if they're in town.
New York Knicks:
Season: October - April
Where They Play: Madison Square Garden
Tickets: $10-2000
New York Liberty:
Season: May - September
Where They Play: Madison Square Garden
Tickets: $10-260
Brooklyn Nets:
Season: October - April
Where They Play: Barclays Center in Brooklyn
Tickets: $50+
Harlem Globetrotters:
Season: late December - late April
5. Boxing in New York
Jarrett Baker/Getty ImagesWhile boxing in New York doesn't necessarily have the same cache as it does in Vegas,
Madison Square Garden has been hosting boxing matches in New York since 1882 when John L. Sullivan defended his heavyweight champion title against Joe Collins. Occassional
Broadway Boxing at B.B. King's is another option if you're interested in watching professional boxing. If you're after amateur boxing, New York City has several different options, including
Friday Night Fights in Hell's Kitchen. For more details on NYC-area amateur boxing events, check out
USA Boxing, Metropolitan Association.
6. Tennis in New York City
Chris McGrath/Getty ImagesSpectator tennis doesn't get better than the
U.S. Open, held from late August - early September every year at USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. Tickets go on sale in early June and tickets for prime matches go quickly, but there are several free events, including the Qualifying Tournament, Arthur Ashe Kid's Day and Open Practice Day.
7. Horse Racing in New York
Al Bello/Getty ImagesTake the train to the
Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, Queens to enjoy horse racing from October through May. Technically, the
Belmont Racetrack is located on Long Island, but it's accessible from New York City and the
Belmont Stakes offers spectators a wonderful horse racing experience in early June every year.
Dan CrossOver two million spectators line the streets of New York City to watch the over 35,000 participants in the New York City Marathon. The New York City Marathon takes place the first Sunday in November and has been a New York City tradition since 1970.
