Giants Stadium

Giants Stadium opened on October 10, 1976, after the New York Giants struck a deal with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to build a permanent home in the Meadowlands. The stadium was built at a cost of $78 million and was owned and operated by the NJSEA. The New York Jets joined as co-tenants in 1984, moving from Shea Stadium. The stadium hosted numerous major events including the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where it hosted seven matches including a semi-final. It was also the home of the NASL's New York Cosmos from 1977 to 1984, featuring football legends such as Pelé and Franz Beckenbauer. The MLS's MetroStars, later renamed the New York Red Bulls, called the stadium home from 1996 to 2009. The stadium's playing surface went through several changes, starting with AstroTurf from 1976 to 1999, then natural grass from 2000 to 2002, and finally FieldTurf from 2003 to 2009. The final game was played on January 3, 2010, and demolition began on February 4, 2010, completing by August 10, 2010. The stadium was replaced by MetLife Stadium, built adjacent to the old site and opened in 2010.

The stadium's maximum capacity of 80,242 made it one of the largest in the NFL. The structure was 756 feet long, 592 feet wide, and 144 feet high, using 13,500 tons of structural steel and 29,200 tons of concrete. The New York Cosmos played there during the NASL era, with Pelé drawing massive crowds. The stadium hosted seven matches during the 1994 FIFA World Cup, including a semi-final between Brazil and Sweden. It was one of the few venues to host both NFL and World Cup matches. The stadium was sometimes nicknamed 'The Meadowlands' after its location. Demolition was completed in just over six months, from February to August 2010, making way for parking areas serving the new MetLife Stadium.