FIFA WORLD STARS VS. BRAZIL
Giants Stadium, New York/New JerseyGiants Stadium is recognized as one of the premier venues in the country and it, along with Meadowlands Arena and Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, N.J., comprise the Meadowlands Sports Complex, one of the most successful sports and entertainment complexes in the world.
Both the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League play at Giants Stadium, making it the only stadium in the country to house two NFL teams. A third franchise - the New York/New Jersey MetroStars of Major League Soccer play their inaugural season this year.
Giants Stadium was one of nine sites for the 1994 World Cup and was host to seven games including a semifinal. Italy defeated Bulgaria 2-1 to advance to the World Cup Final. The stadium was the only venue of nine sites utilized to sell out all of its games and to realize a seven figure profit (US$ 1.8 million)
The Cosmos of the North American Soccer League, the New Jersey Generals of the U.S. Football League and the New YorkINew Jersey Knights of the World League of American Football also called Giants Stadium home.
Giants Stadium (photo: Jerry Liebman)
Location: East Rutherford, New Jersey
Capacity for Soccer: approx. 74,000
Capacity: 77,121
Dimensions: 756 ft. by 144 ft.
Playing Surface: Length 112.75 yards (103 meters); Width 72.5 yards (66 meters)
On October 5, 1995, Pope John Paul II celebrated mass at Giants Stadium before a record crowd of 82,948. Giants Stadium also served as the site for closing ceremonies of the Statue of Liberty centennial celebration in 1986.
Giants Stadium is a leading concert facility attracting top acts including Bruce Springsteen, U2, Genesis, Guns N'Roses and The Grateful Dead. The Stadium also served as the site for the closing ceremonies of the Statue of Liberty centennial celebration in 1986.
The 800 events held annually at the Complex generate some 950 million dollars in economic activity in the region, support tens of thousands of jobs and provide tens of millions of dollars of direct revenue to the state.
The Complex's three facilities were constructed on a 750-acre site at a cost of $450 million. The project was financed entirely by money raised through the sale of bonds issued by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA). No taxpayer money was used in the construction of the facility.
The NJSEA was created by the New Jersey legislature in 1971 and is the governing body which oversees the operations of the Meadowlands Sports Complex and Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, N.J. At the state's bequest, it constructed the State Aquarium at Camden, N.J. and will build and operate the Atlantic City Convention Center.
Directions to Giants Stadium
- From New York City and points North:
- Take the George Washington Bridge to the New Jersey Turnpike South following signs for Exit (16West). Follow signs for Meadowlands Sports Complex, to Stadium Parking.
- From points South:
- Take the New Jersey Turnpike North to Exit (16 West). Follow signs for Meadowlands Sports Complex. Enter Complex, follow signs for Parking. OR: Take the Garden State Parkway to Exit (153A). Proceed on (Route 3) East to Meadowlands Sports Complex, follow signs for Parking.
- From New York City and points East:
- Take the Lincoln Tunnel and follow signs for (Route 3) West. Take (Route 3) West to Meadowlands Sports Complex, follow signs for Parking.
- From points West:
- Take either (Route 80) or (Route 78) to Garden State Parkway or new Jersey Turnpike, proceed as From New York and points North or From points South.
- Traveling by Train From New York City:
- Depart Penn Station, take PATH or NJ Transit trains to Hoboken. Depart World Trade Center, take path train to Hoboken. Transfer to NJ Transit Stadium Shuttle
- Traveling by Bus:
- From Port Authority (41st St. and 8th Ave.): Take NJ Transit Shuttle Bus to Stadium.
- From Hoboken, NJ: Take NJ Transit Shuttle Bus to Stadium.
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