a young man holding a basketball in his hand

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New York’s sporting scene plays a significant role in the culture of the large city. While the most famous attractions in NYC may overshadow local athletic events, there are plenty of thrilling activities, occurrences, and athletic contests in NewYork City.

There are 11 professional athletic teams in NY, plus several minor league and independent franchises. That doesn’t even include other sports like tennis and annual events like the New York City Marathon. Truly, any game you want to see, you can see it here in the City That Never Sleeps!

An additional amazing thing regarding competitive sporting events is that you can enjoy them with friends, family, and even strangers. Locals and visitors discover shared ground by cheering on their favored teams, and there exists nothing quite like attending a live game and feeling the energy and camaraderie. Whether you’re searching for a fun date night or something engaging to do in NYC with children, you can’t go wrong with a match.

Of course, the sports played across New York City and state are many and varied, so I’m giving a general overview of the top teams and special events. Teams representing New York are hugely popular, so I always advise securing tickets ahead of time through an online platform like Hellotickets.

New York sports teams

There are dozens of athleticteams in New York, ranging from professional franchises and minor league clubs to those that are independently owned. This guide will focus primarily on the premier NY sports teams, although I’ll also briefly discuss the lesser-known ones. Here’s what can be anticipated:

By the end of this article, you’ll know which teams to cheer for at the premier New York City sports bars. Viewing a match in New York City is one of the excellent things to do in NYC at night, and you’ll quickly see why !

Baseball (MLB), the most popular sport in New York

Baseball is considered the top sport in New York; after all, it’s the great American pastime. You can’t mention baseball in New York without thinking of the famous Yankees team, but the Mets are also an important part of this sport.

Throughout the spring and summer, baseball largely dominates as the primary sporting event in NYC. It’s a more relaxed sport compared to others, but it’s a favorite summer afternoon activity enjoyed by many.

New York Yankees

The elite New York Yankees baseball club represents New York City with high honors and has experienced unparalleled success nationally. Names such as Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, and Mickey Mantle are connected to the Yankees franchise through memorable performances.

a crowd of people watching a baseball game

The team hosts their domestic competitions at Yankee Stadium, one of the coolest locales to explore in the Bronx. They’re rivals with the Boston Red Sox and the Mets, an additional New York athletic assemble, so if you catch one of those games, it’s assured to be hugely thrilling.

I advise obtaining tickets in advance, especially for popular matchups. You can also visit the stadium on non-game days to tour the team museum and Monument Park, where they have Hall of Fame plaques

New York Mets

The New York Mets are another professional sports franchise in New York, and while they’re often eclipsed by the Yankees, they’ve achieved notable success. The Mets have a couple World Series championships under their belts, and they have some intensely dedicated supporters in baseball.

a crowd of people watching a baseball game

Viewing the Mets play at Citi Field is one of the best activities located in Queens. Plus, you can see the iconic mascot, Mr. Met, who was among the earliest MLB mascots to appear as a costumed character. Secure your tickets online here.

Basketball (NBA), another top sport in New York

From October to April, basketball dominates as the preferred sport in New York. Games occur indoors, so you can escape unpleasant weather, and fans fully support their cherished teams. Additionally, NYC`s basketball teams play in some of the coolest venues nationwide, so if you want to see it yourself, you should obtain NBA game tickets in NYC in advance.

New York Knicks

The basketball group nicknamed the Knicks situated in New York City has achieved the finals of the NBA league eight instances and was rewarded championship victor`s honors on two events. The Knicks hold one of the uppermost aggregate win records in NBA historical past, and are most renowned for their Hall of Fame center, Patrick Ewing.

a basketball game is being played on the court

Needless to say, pretty much everyone wants to view a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden. Even famous people show up at this prized location to catch a game. If you want good seats for the event, get your New York Knicks tickets ahead of time, preferably online here.

Brooklyn Nets

In addition to the Knicks, the Brooklyn Nets are a notable NBA franchise located in New York City. While they have experienced some lackluster seasons recently, the Nets have a history of winning, especially in the 1970s when legendary players like Julius Erving were on their roster.

a person jumping in the air with a basketball

The Brooklyn Nets currently use the Barclays Center located in downtown Brooklyn as their home arena. As a result, they continue gaining popularity as one of the notable sports franchises representing New York. Therefore, if you wish to attend a Brooklyn Nets game, it is advised to obtain tickets in advance from this site.

Football (NFL), another favorite New York sport

Soccer has become the most popular sport in the nation, encompassing an entire culture surrounding tailgating and Monday nights spent viewing the game. The NFL season runs from September through December, with the main event, the Super Bowl, taking place in February.

The NY Giants and NY Jets consistently attract lots of football fans. If you want to watch this sport in the region of New York, you’ll need to go to the nearby area of New Jersey since both teams play at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.

The Buffalo Bills are another American football team based in New York, but they play in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan region, so they do not have much of a following within NYC itself.

New York Giants

The New York Giants are four-time champions of the Super Bowl, and their home arena hosted the Super Bowl in 2014. The Giants also have eight league championships to their name. The franchise has also included star players, such as Frank Gifford, Eli Manning, Tiki Barber, and Michael Strahan.

a football player is running to catch a ball

As one of the longest-running teams in the NFL, the Giants have built a widespread fanbase, not only among those living in New York but also with many supporters in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Needless to say, if you want admission, you should obtain them beforehand.

New York Jets

Another highly regarded football team in New York is the New York Jets, known as one of the greatest franchises in the NFL. Fondly known by fans as “Gang Green,” the team has featured star players such as Joe “Broadway Joe” Namath.

a large group of people playing a game of soccer

Similar to the Giants, the Jets play their domestic competitions at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. They’re a historically successful NY sports team with a dedicated supporter base, so if you want to experience a game yourself, obtain tickets in advance .

Hockey (NHL), a classic winter sport in NY

Ice hockey plays a major role in the sports scene of the Northeastern United States, so it makes sense that it`s a widely enjoyed winter sport in New York. The hockey season spans half the year, from early October until early April.

Ice hockey games in New York are full of loyal fans, buzzing excitement, and fast-paced action. Here, you can cheer on the NY Rangers in Manhattan or the Islanders over on Long Island.

New York Rangers

The prominent hockey organization known as the New York Rangers is among the original six franchises established in the national hockey league. Commonly nicknamed the “Broadway Blueshirts” by their devoted supporters, the Rangers play their home games at the famous Madison Square Garden arena located in Manhattan.

a large auditorium filled with people watching a basketball game

The hockey team gained fame for their 1994 Stanley Cup victory, which ended a 54-season drought without success. It was their fourth Stanley Cup triumph, and fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming fifth championship.

Watching a Rangers game is extremely exciting, particularly when they face their local rivals, the Islanders, another NY hockey team in NYC. For a popular game like that, you should obtain your entries early. Also, consider visiting the arena on a non-game day so you can take a tour of Madison Square Garden to see the locker rooms, memorabilia, and more.

New York Islanders

The New York Islanders are another hockey group in the NYC region, specifically situated on Long Island. The team plays their home games at the Nassau Coliseum and Barclays Center.

a large group of people playing a game of soccer

The Islanders have found success multiple times in the sport`s biggest tournament, earning them a worthy opposition to the Rangers. If you want to secure tickets for a highly anticipated matchup between these rivals, be sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time .

Other sports teams in New York

Besides the four principal sports in New York, there are other games and athletic occasions you can see.

Soccer

Association football may not be as popular in the United States as it is in other nations, but it still has a large fanbase. From March through October, spectators can see association football games in New York City at Yankee Stadium’s Grand Concourse. This is where the New York City Football Club plays their home matches. They’re a fairly new franchise, founded in 2015, but they can fill an arena, so get tickets early.

people playing soccer on a field

The sports club known as the New York Red Bulls is another soccer organization located in New York. Previously called the MetroStars, they were the primary professional soccer team in New York City starting out, qualifying for the postseason for thirteen consecutive seasons. They host games at one of the top-rated soccer fields in the country, Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. The NY/NJ Gotham FC, an association competing in the National Women’s Soccer League, also plays matches at Red Bull Arena.

WNBA

Mentioning females` sports activities, the ladies` National Basketball affiliation (WNBA) has a NY athletic establishment. The New York Liberty has welcomed a number of the world`s best feminine basketball gamers like Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Courtney Vandersloot, and Jonquel Jones.

young men playing a game of frisbee

The NY Liberty plays from May through September, offering the chance to view a basketball game in the summer season. The team plays at Barclays Center, and tickets typically demand less money than NBA tickets in NYC.

College basketball

In addition to the professional New York sports clubs in basketball, there are seven Division 1 collegiate teams in NYC, such as Columbia University, Manhattan College, and Long Island University-Brooklyn. College basketball draws large crowds from across the country, with the excitement culminating in the March Madness Tournament.

young men playing a game of frisbee

This NCAA basketball tournament pits the premier Division 1 teams against one another sometimes taking place at Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center.

Minor League Baseball

Furthermore, there are a handful of lower-levelathleticteams in New York that you can watch throughout the spring and summer months. Witnessing these lower-level baseball games provides an opportunity to glimpse up-and-coming talent in their early stages.

a crowd of people watching a baseball game

The Brooklyn team is tied to the New York Mets and have won six division championships. They play at Maimonides Park on Coney Island, so you can watch a game and spend a day hanging out on the amusement piers.

The Staten Island FerryHawks are another New York area sports club. They’re an impartial baseball team located in Staten Island, and play matches at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park, the previous home field of the Staten Island Yankees. The FerryHawks franchise was founded in 2021, but they`re already well-liked, so check them out on the formal team website.

More New York sports and activities

The sports and activities in NYC don’t conclude there. In addition to major and minor leagues, independent teams, and college sports, there are other engaging sporting events in New York.

U.S. Open Tennis

If you visit Queens, New York, you’ll be able to see one of NYC’s finest parks. Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Astoria is home to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, which hosts the U.S. Open tournament. This annual tennis event takes place in late August and features the world’s best men’s, women’s, singles, doubles, and wheelchair players.

a crowd of people watching a tennis match

Around 800,000 people attend this occasion, while millions more watch on television. In the past, athletes like Naomi Osaka, the Williams sisters, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic have won the U.S. Open tennis championship. It’s one of the most prestigious events in the tennis world, so you should obtain your tickets well in advance.

New York City Marathon

Another popular athletic occasion in New York is the New York City Marathon, which occurs annually in November. The 26.2 mile race passes through all five boroughs of NYC, starting in Staten Island and ending in Central Park.

a large group of people walking down a street

Thousands participate in the race, some with family and friends supporting from the sidelines. Past famous racers included Ryan Reynolds, Pamela Anderson, Kevin Hart, and Alicia Keys. More information about the event can be found on the official website.

Best sports bars in New York City

One of the best aspects of sports is watching them with friends. There are superb sports bars in New York where one can catch that night’s match-up and meet up with pals.

In Manhattan, check out Harlem Tavern or Standings in the East Village. Blondies Sports in Upper Manhattan offers great chicken wings and big-screen TVs, so you can watch all the games in New York City.

people sitting at tables in a restaurant

In Brooklyn, Keg & Lantern is a casual sports bar and brewery that stays open late in Greenpoint. Additionally, Fulton Ale House in Bed-Stuy is a cozy spot serving traditional pub grub, craft beers, and darts.

In addition, I suggest exploring Stan’s Sports Bar in the Bronx and Break Bar & Billiards in Astoria, Queens. Naturally, there are also breathtaking rooftop bars in NYC where you can unwind with a drink while taking in the game and scenic views.

FAQs – Sports in New York

To wrap up this New York sports guide, here are the answers to some frequent questions:

Baseball continues as the classic American pastime, but football is developing into the predominant sport inNew York.

The best professional sports team in New York is the New York Yankees. They’re one of the most thriving franchises, with 27 World Series titles.

The state of New York designated baseball as its official sport through Governor Cuomo in 2021.

The state of New York has won 57 sporting championships, more than any other state.

There exists eleven professional sports teams in New York City: the Giants, Jets, Mets, Yankees, Brooklyn Nets, Knicks, Liberty, Islanders, Rangers, New York Red Bulls, and New York City FC.

There are plenty of sports bars in New York City. Some of the most popular ones are Blondie’s, Standings, and Stan’s Sports Bar.

Now, you should be (almost) an expert on New York sports! Keep this guide handy for your next trip to the Big Apple, and don’t forget to download this map of New York City sports bars and venues.

If you have any other inquiries, feel free to leave me a comment below. I’d also love to learn about your favorite sports and activities in New York City.

Have a great trip!