Home to world-famous attractions, food and entertainment, New York is also one of the world’s top cities for sport. NYC boasts two of every men’s professional sports franchises in the greater metropolitan area, alongside women’s professional basketball, soccer and ice hockey leagues.
In the men’s leagues, these teams include the New York Yankees and New York Mets (MLB), New York Giants and New York Jets (NFL), New York Rangers and New York Islanders (NHL), New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets (NBA), and New York City FC and New York Red Bulls (MLS). And in the women’s leagues, New York Liberty (women’s NBA), NJ/NY Gotham FC (National Women’s Soccer League), and PWHL New York (ice hockey).
The city also hosts major events such as the US Open tennis grand slam and is home to venues including Madison Square Garden, Yankee Stadium, and Citi Field.
Here we take a look at New York’s upcoming sporting events…
Baseball
Baseball is a fan favourite for both visitors and residents. Beyond the New York Yankees and New York Mets, New York City is also home to two Minor League Baseball franchises: the Staten Island FerryHawks and the Brooklyn Cyclones. Named after the iconic Staten Island Ferry and inspired by the local cooper’s hawks that grace the island, the FerryHawks proudly represent the borough as its professional baseball team in the Atlantic League. With unmatched views of the New York City skyline as a backdrop, a FerryHawks game promises entertainment for visitors of all ages. In Brooklyn, the Cyclones command attention at Maimonides Park in Coney Island, paying tribute to its namesake, the cherished roller coaster landmark. Both teams have kicked off their 2024 season, with games running through September 2024.
Sailing
The New York Sail Grand Prix returns to New York City from 22-23 June 2024. As the 12th stop on its global circuit, the event promises thrilling international sailing competition against the iconic Manhattan skyline. Spectators can witness the U.S. SailGP Team and nine other nations face off on identical 50-foot flying catamarans, reaching speeds over 60 miles per hour. Alongside the racing action, spectators can enjoy food, drinks, live music and more on Governors Island for an unforgettable summer weekend.
Copa América 2024
The CONMEBOL Copa América 2024 marks a unique edition featuring 10 CONMEBOL teams and six CONCACAF guest teams. Boasting 10 cumulative Fifa World Cup titles across the teams and featuring the world’s top soccer talent, the tournament promises excitement across the 32 matches this summer. Among the highlights, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey (home of the NY Giants and NY Jets) will host fixtures including Chile vs. Argentina on 25 June 2024 and Uruguay vs. Bolivia on 27 June 2024, alongside one of the semi-finals on 9 July 2024.
US Open tennis
Dating back to 1881, the US Open Tennis Championships is the fourth and final grand slam tournament of the year, cementing its role as the largest annual ticketed sporting event in the world. Since 1978, the tournament has found its home at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens’ Flushing Meadows Corona Park, serving as a magnet for the best tennis talent worldwide such as reigning champions Coco Gauff, Novak Djokovic, Diede de Groot and Alfie Hewett. The tournament will return to Queens from 26 August to 8 September 2024.
TCS New York City Marathon
The TCS New York City Marathon takes runners through all five boroughs of New York City, kicking off in Staten Island, followed by Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, ending in Manhattan’s Central Park. As the largest marathon globally, it saw over 50,000 participants cross the finish line in 2023, with more than 128,000 applicants the same year. Returning on 3 November 2024, the TCS New York City Marathon is one of the top long-distance races in the United States and part of the World Marathon Majors series.
Fifa Club World Cup 2025
In 2025, New York New Jersey will host the newly expanded version of the Fifa Club World Cup (Mundial de Clubes Fifa), featuring 32 professional teams. The tournament, which is now set to occur every four years, will feature New York New Jersey as one of the host cities for the inaugural tournament in its new format. The match schedule is to be announced.
Fifa World Cup 2026 final
Fifa has chosen New York City alongside co-host partner, New Jersey, as the host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026TM Final, where MetLife Stadium will become New York New Jersey Stadium for the world’s biggest football game. The final, which will take place on 19 July 2026, is one of eight matches that New York New Jersey will host, in what promises to be the largest Fifa World Cups ever. The line-up will also include group stage matches on 13, 16, 22, 25 and 26 June; a round of 32 game on 30 June; a round of 16 match on 5 July, and the final on 19 July. Whether at the stadium watching the match live or attending one of the various World Cup events that will take place citywide, visitors are guaranteed an unforgettable tournament experience.
For more information about sport in New York City, see nyctourism.com
Images: New York City Tourism + Conventions