Sports in New Jersey
As of 2023[update],New Jerseyhas five teams frommajor professional sports leaguesplaying in the state, with only one team identifying themselves as solely being from the state. The other remaining teams identify themselves as being from theNew York metropolitan areawith theNational Women's Soccer Leagueteam having a team name that includes both New Jersey and New York. The National Hockey League and National Basketball Association teams representingPhiladelphiahave their training facilities inSouth Jersey.
Major League professional sports[edit]
TheNational Hockey League'sNew Jersey Devils,based inNewarkat thePrudential Center,is the only major league franchise to solely bear the state's name. Founded in 1974 inKansas City, Missourias theKansas City Scouts,the team played inDenver, Coloradoas theColorado Rockiesfrom 1976 until the spring of 1982 when naval architect, businessman, andJersey CitynativeJohn J. McMullenpurchased and relocated the franchise toBrendan Byrne ArenainEast Rutherford'sMeadowlands Sports Complexunder its current identity. While the organization was largely a failure on the ice in Kansas City, Denver, and its first years in New Jersey, the Devils would ultimately begin their rise to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s under the tenure of Hall of Fame president and general managerLou Lamoriello,winning theStanley Cupin 1995, 2000, and 2003, and act as an annual fixture in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the majority of two decades. The organization is the youngest out of all nine "Big Four" major league teams within the New York Metropolitan Area and media market dominated in terms of ice hockey by theNew York RangersandIslandersprior to the Devils' arrival, but has ultimately been successful in establishing a visible and dedicated following throughout the northern and central portions of the state. In 2018, one of the Devils' fiercest rivals, thePhiladelphia Flyers,renovated and expanded their training facility, the Flyers Training Center, inVoorhees Townshipin the southern portion of the state.[2][3][4]
The formerPremier Hockey Federation'sMetropolitan Rivetersplayed at The Rink at theAmerican Dream Meadowlandsin the Meadowlands Sports Complex inEast Rutherford.[5]While initially beginning in Brooklyn as the New York Riveters, they moved to New Jersey in their 2016 season, where the team has played since, initially playing out of the Barnabas Health Hockey House at the Prudential Center.[6]In 2016 the team formed an affiliation with the New Jersey Devils where the team renamed to the Metropolitan Riveters along with changing their uniform and team colors to match the Devils.[7]The Riveters won both the regular season title and theIsobel Cupin the 2017–18 season. In 2019, this affiliation was terminated between the Devils and the Riveters,[8][9]which caused the team to revert to their original colors along with finding a new home at the ProSkate Ice Arena in Monmouth Junction.[10][11]The Premier Hockey Federation ceased operations on June 29, 2023, along with the Riveters.
The New York Metropolitan Area's twoNational Football Leagueteams, theNew York Giantsand theNew York Jets,both play atMetLife StadiuminEast Rutherford's Meadowlands Sports Complex.[12]At completion, with a construction cost of approximately $1.6 billion,[13]the venue is the most expensive stadium ever built.[1]On February 2, 2014, MetLife Stadium was the host venue forSuper Bowl XLVIII.There have been multiple short lived attempts at starting a competing league to the NFL, with teams based in New Jersey. TheNew Jersey Generalsplayed with theUnited States Football LeagueatGiants Stadiumfor three seasons from 1982 until 1985 when the league went bankrupt after anantitrustlawsuitagainst the NFL.Two attempts byVince McMahonat creating a competing league, both named the XFL, have been attempted in New Jersey. The firstXFLleague was created as a joint venture betweenWorld Wrestling EntertainmentandNBC[14]in 2001, had theNew York/New Jersey Hitmenplaying at Giants Stadium for the only season they played before theleague folded.The New York/New Jersey Hitmen finished in third for the XFL Eastern Division for the season they played.[15]In 2020, theNew York Guardiansof the newly revivedXFLbegan playing at MetLife Stadium.[16]After the XFL filed forChapter 11 bankruptcyon April 13, 2020,[17]citing the premature suspension of their season due to theCOVID-19 pandemic,the New York Guardians ceased operations. The Guardians brand was later transferred toOrlando.
TheNew York Red BullsofMajor League Soccerplay inRed Bull Arena,a soccer-specific stadium located inHarrisonimmediately across thePassaic Riverfrom downtownNewark.The team was founded in 1994 as the Empire Soccer Club, and renamed to New York/New Jersey Metrostars in 1995[18]and played under this name until the acquisition of the team byRed Bull GmbHin 2006, where the team was renamed to the New York Red Bulls and dropped their association with New Jersey in the team's name.[19][20][21]For the entire team's history, the team has always played in New Jersey, where Giants Stadium served as the team's home stadium, prior to the opening of Red Bull Arena in 2010.[22]On July 27, 2011, Red Bull Arena hosted the2011 MLS All-Star Game.[23]
NJ/NY Gotham FCwas founded in 2008 as Sky Blue FC and began playing in the 2009Women's Professional Soccerseason. After the league was folded in 2012,[24]SkyBlue FC transferred to theNational Women's Soccer Leaguebeginning in the 2013 season. In November 2019 it was announced that SkyBlue FC will move from Yurcack Field atRutgers Universityto Red Bull Arena, for the2020 NWSL season[25]In April 2021, Sky Blue officially rebranded itself as NJ/NY Gotham FC,[26]Along with the new name, the club introduced a new crest that features theStatue of Liberty’s crown as it was voted the most recognizable symbol of New Jersey and New York. The crest also displays three letters – an “N” and a hybrid “J/Y”, which acknowledges New Jersey as the club's birthplace while embracing the club's growing New York reach.[27]
TheNew York Cosmosof theNorth American Soccer League (NASL)played at Giants Stadium from 1977 until the league collapsed at the end of the 1984 season. They won the league championship, the NASLSoccer Bowl,five times.
New Jersey hosted matches during the1994 FIFA World Cupat Giants Stadium and is set to host matches during the upcoming2026 FIFA World Cup,including thefinal,at MetLife Stadium.[28]TheCopa América Centenario finalin 2016 and severalCONCACAF Gold Cuptournaments have also been played at MetLife Stadium.[29]
From 1977 to 2012, New Jersey had aNational Basketball Association (NBA)team, theNew Jersey Nets,which last played at the Prudential Center in Newark. In 2012, the team was moved toBrooklynand now plays under theBrooklyn Nets.The Net's former headquarters and training facility in East Rutherford has been renovated into the MeadowlandsYMCA.[30]TheWNBA'sNew York Libertyplayed at the Prudential Center from 2011 to 2013 whileMadison Square Gardenwas renovated. In 2016, thePhiladelphia 76ersof the NBA opened their new headquarters and training facility, thePhiladelphia 76ers Training Complex,inCamden.[31]
Major league sports[edit]
New Jersey teams[edit]
| Club | Sport | League | Stadium (capacity) | Established | Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Devils | Ice hockey | National Hockey League | Prudential Center(16,514) | 1974 | 3 |
| NJ/NY Gotham FC | Soccer | National Women's Soccer League | Red Bull Arena(25,000) | 2007 | 2 |
New York metropolitan teams that play in New Jersey[edit]
| Club | Sport | League | Stadium (capacity) | Established | Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Giants | Football | National Football League | MetLife Stadium(82,500) | 1925 | 8 |
| New York Jets | 1959 | 1 | |||
| New York Red Bulls | Soccer | Major League Soccer | Red Bull Arena(25,000) | 1994 | 0 |
Major league professional championships[edit]
New Jersey Devils (NHL)[edit]
3 Stanley Cup titles
NJ/NY Gotham FC (NWSL)[edit]
1 WPS Championship (as Sky Blue FC)
1 NWSL Championship
New York Red Bulls (MLS)[edit]
3 Supporters Shield titles
Metropolitan Riveters (PHF)[edit]
1 Isobel Cup title
Newark Eagles (NNL)[edit]
1 Negro World Series title
Semi-pro and minor league sports[edit]
New Jersey teams[edit]
New York metropolitan minor league teams that play in New Jersey[edit]
| Club | Sport | League | Stadium (capacity) | Established | Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Red Bulls II | Soccer | MLS Next Pro | MSU Soccer Park at Pittser Field(5,000) | 2015 | 1 |
| New York Red Bulls U-23 | USL League Two | Red Bulls Training Facility | 2009 | 2 |
College sports[edit]
Major schools[edit]
New Jerseyans' collegiate allegiances are predominantly split among the three majorNCAA Division Iprograms in the state – theScarlet KnightsofRutgers University(New Jersey's flagship state university), members of theBig Ten Conference;thePiratesofSeton Hall University(the state's largestCatholicuniversity), members of theBig East Conference;and theTigersofPrinceton University(the state'sIvy Leagueuniversity).
Rutgers and Princeton athletics share an intense rivalry – stemming from thefirst intercollegiate football gamein 1869 – though the two schools have not met on the football field since 1980. They continue to play each other annually in all other sports offered by the two universities.
Rutgers, which fields 24 teams in various sports, is nationally known for its excellent football and women's basketball programs, owning a 6-4 all-timebowlrecord and appearing in aNational Finalin 2007, respectively. In 2008 and 2009, Rutgers expanded their football homeSHI Stadiumon theBusch Campus,and the basketball teams play atJersey Mike's Arenaon theLivingston Campus.Both venues and campuses are located inPiscataway,immediately across theRaritan RiverfromNew Brunswick.The university also fields rising men's basketball and baseball programs. Rutgers' fan base is mostly derived from the western parts of the state andMiddlesex County,not to mention its alumni base, which is the largest in the state.
Rutgers' satellite campuses in Camden and Newark each field their own athletic programs. TheRutgers–Camdenathletic teams are called theScarlet Raptors.TheRutgers–Newarkathletic teams are called theScarlet Raiders.The Scarlet Raiders and the Scarlet Raptors both compete withinNCAA Division III.
Seton Hall, unlike Rutgers and Princeton, does not field a football team. Its men's basketball team, however, is one of the Big East's storied programs, New Jersey's most successful representative in theNCAA Division I men's basketball tournamentby number of wins, the state's only men's basketball program to reach a modernNational Final,and plays its home games atPrudential Centerin downtownNewarkapproximately four miles from the university'sSouth Orangecampus. The Pirates, while lacking as large an alumni base as the state university, have a large well of support in the predominantly Roman Catholic areas of the northern part of the state and theJersey Shore.The annual inter-conference rivalry game between Seton Hall and Rutgers which alternates between Newark and Piscataway, the Garden State Hardwood Classic, has been renewed through 2026.[32]
Other schools[edit]
The state's other Division I schools include theMonmouth University Hawks(West Long Branch), theNew Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Highlanders(Newark), theRider University Broncs(Lawrenceville), and theSaint Peter's University Peacocks(Jersey City). Saint Peter's reached national prominence in 2022 when itsmen's basketball teambecame the first 15-seed (out of 16 teams in each region) ever to reach the Elite Eight (one step shy of the Final Four) in the NCAA tournament.
Fairleigh Dickinson Universitycompetes in both Division I and Division III. It has two campuses, each with its own sports teams. The teams at the Metropolitan Campus are known as the FDU Knights, and compete in theNortheast Conferenceand NCAA Division I. The College at Florham (FDU-Florham) teams are known as the FDU-Florham Devils and compete in NCAA Division III as a member of theMiddle Atlantic Conferenceand itsFreedom Conference.[a]
Among the various Division III schools in the state, the Stevens Ducks, representing Stevens Institute of Technology, have fielded the longest continuously running collegiate men's lacrosse program in the country. 2009 marked the 125th season.
Golf[edit]
New Jersey has several notable golf courses, likeAtlantic City Country Club,Baltusrol Golf Club,Liberty National Golf Club,Pine Valley Golf Club,Ridgewood Country Club,Scotland Run Golf ClubandTrump National Golf Club Bedminster.Notable tournaments includeThe Northern Trust.
Notable New Jerseyan golfers includeScottie Scheffler,Marina Alex,Megha Ganne,Al BesselinkandVic Ghezzi.
TheUnited States Golf Association (USGA)headquarters andUSGA Museumare located inLiberty Corner.
Horse racing[edit]
The Meadowlands Sports Complex is also home to theMeadowlands Racetrack,one of two majorharness racingtracks in the state along withFreehold Racewayin Freehold. They are also two of the major harness racing tracks in North America.Monmouth Park Racetrackin Oceanport is also a popular spot forthoroughbred racingin New Jersey and theNortheast.It's marquee event is theHaskell Invitational Stakes.It hosted theBreeders' Cupin 2007, and its turf course was renovated in preparation.
Former racetracks includeGarden State Park RacetrackandAtlantic City Race Course.
Ultimate[edit]
Ultimate,originally known as ultimateFrisbee,originated and was developed inMaplewoodin 1968 with the first sanctioned game atColumbia High Schoolbetween the student council and student newspaper staff.[33]
High school sports[edit]
New Jersey high schools are divided into divisions under theNew Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.(NJSIAA)[34]'[35]Founded in 1918, the NJSIAA currently represents 22,000 schools, 330,000 coaches, and almost 4.5 million athletes. Sports are divided between 3 seasons (fall, winter, and spring).
Academies and clubs[edit]
New Jersey also features a collection of sports leagues, clubs, and academies for athletic training. Like many suburban communities, most New Jersey towns have individual leagues for America's most popular sports - baseball, softball, football, cheerleading, basketball, soccer, etc.[36]
Stadiums and arenas[edit]
| Venue | City | Capacity | Type | Tenants | Opened |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHI Stadium | Piscataway | 52,454 | Football | Rutgers Scarlet Knights | 1994 |
| Jadwin Gymnasium | Princeton | 6,854 | Arena | Princeton Tigers | 1969 |
| Jersey Mike's Arena | Piscataway | 8,000 | Arena | Rutgers Scarlet Knights | 1977 |
| MetLife Stadium | East Rutherford | 82,500 | Multi-purpose | New York Giants,New York Jets | 2010 |
| Princeton Stadium | Princeton | 27,773 | Football | Princeton Tigers | 1998 |
| Prudential Center | Newark | 18,711 | Arena | New Jersey Devils,Seton Hall Pirates | 2007 |
| Red Bull Arena | Harrison | 25,000 | Soccer | New York Red Bulls,NJ/NY Gotham FC | 2010 |
| ShoreTown Ballpark | Lakewood | 6,588 | Baseball | Jersey Shore BlueClaws | 2001 |
| TD Bank Ballpark | Bridgewater | 6,100 | Baseball | Somerset Patriots | 1999 |
| Trenton Thunder Ballpark | Trenton | 6,440 | Baseball | Trenton Thunder | 1994 |
| The Soccer Stadium at Yurcak Field | Piscataway | 5,000 | Soccer | Rutgers Scarlet Knights | 1994 |
| MSU Soccer Park at Pittser Field | Montclair | 5,000 | Soccer | New York Red Bulls II,Montclair State Red Hawks | 1998 |
Other notable sports venues[edit]
- CURE Insurance Arena
- Hinchliffe Stadium
- Hobey Baker Memorial Rink
- Jersey City Armory
- Old Bridge Township Raceway Park
- Richard J. Codey Arena
- Roberts Stadium
- Run Baby Run Arena
- Skylands Stadium
- Wall Stadium
- Walsh Gymnasium
- Wellness and Events Center
- Yogi Berra Stadium
Former notable sports venues
- Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium
- Boyle's Thirty Acres
- Giants Stadium
- Harrison Park
- Meadowlands Arena
- Meadowlands Grand Prix
- Roosevelt Stadium
- Ruppert Stadium
- Trenton Speedway
See also[edit]
- List of college athletic programs in New Jersey
- Sports Hall of Fame of New Jersey
- New Jersey Sports Writers Association Hall of Fame
Footnotes[edit]
- ^The Middle Atlantic Conference is an umbrella organization of three conferences. Two of its components, the Freedom andCommonwealthConferences (officially styled as "MAC Freedom" and "MAC Commonwealth" ), sponsor competition in 14 NCAA sports, but not football. The overall MAC organizes competition among both Commonwealth and Freedom members in 13 other sports, including football.
References[edit]
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- ^"FLYERS PRACTICE FACILITY".hasrch.com.RetrievedFebruary 28,2024.
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- ^"Metropolitan Riveters to play home games in New Jersey megamall American Dream".ESPN. September 14, 2022.RetrievedNovember 9,2022.
- ^Cimini, Kaitlin (August 1, 2016)."From The Ice New York Riveters leave Brooklyn for Newark".Slapshot.
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- ^"New Jersey Devils dissolving partnership with Metropolitan Riveters".theicegarden.com.May 17, 2019.
- ^"NJ Devils dissolve partnership with Metropolitan Riveters ahead of schedule".northjersey.com.May 17, 2019.
- ^"RIVETERS UNVEIL NEW SWEATER DESIGN FOR SEASON 5".NWHL.September 27, 2019.
- ^"NWHL Reveals Expanded Schedule for the 2019-20 Season".NWHL.July 29, 2019.
- ^New Meadowlands Stadium official websiteArchived2014-10-09 at theWayback MachineNew Meadowlands Stadium Corporation. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
- ^Belson, Ken (April 8, 2010)."New Stadium, a Football Palace, Opens Saturday With Lacrosse".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 21,2011.
- ^"DeVito says NBC not necessary for next year".ESPN.ESPN Inc.Associated Press.March 27, 2001.RetrievedJanuary 23,2014.
- ^"XFL Standings".USA Today.May 12, 2001.RetrievedFebruary 18,2011.
- ^"ESNY Exclusive: New York Guardians take over MetLife Stadium".elitesportsny.com.February 6, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 6,2020.
- ^"XFL Files For Bankruptcy Lost '10s Of Millions' Due To COVID-19".TMZ. April 13, 2020.RetrievedApril 20,2020.
- ^"Team History".New York Red Bulls. Archived fromthe originalon February 8, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 27,2012.
- ^"Red Bull takes over the MetroStars"(Press release). Red Bull New York. March 9, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon July 8, 2006.RetrievedJuly 27,2016.
- ^Havsy, Jane (March 8, 2006)."MetroStars sold to Red Bull".USA Today.RetrievedJuly 27,2016.
- ^"MetroStars sold and renamed Red Bull New York".ESPN FC. March 9, 2006.RetrievedJuly 27,2016.
- ^Bell, Jack (July 1, 2004)."MetroStars' New Home Is Nearly a Reality".The New York Times.RetrievedFebruary 27,2010.
- ^Bondy, Filip (July 28, 2011)."Manchester United's 4-0 Romp Over MLS All-Stars More Proof U.S. Pro Soccer Not Up to Snuff".Daily News.New York.RetrievedDecember 26,2017.
- ^"WPS Suspends Play for 2012 Season".WPS – Communications.WomensProSoccer.com. January 30, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon February 18, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 30,2012.
- ^cite web|title=New York Red Bulls and Sky Blue FC Announce New Partnership|url=https://skybluefc.com/2019/11/18/new-york-red-bulls-and-sky-blue-fc-announce-new-partnership/
- ^"The Transformation of a Soccer Club, and the Ways We Value Women's Sports".The New Yorker.2021-04-30.Retrieved2021-08-23.
- ^"Sky Blue FC Unveils NJ/NY Gotham FC as New Identity".Gotham FC. April 6, 2021.RetrievedOctober 25,2021.
- ^Sobko, Katie (February 6, 2024)."World Cup 2026: Murphy estimates $2B impact for NJ as funding questions linger".NorthJersey.com.RetrievedFebruary 14,2024.
- ^Parker, Graham (May 1, 2014)."Centenary Copa América to be played in US in 2016".The Guardian.RetrievedFebruary 14,2024.
- ^"MEADOWLANDS AREA YMCA OPENS STATE-OF-THE-ART FULL-SERVICE FACILITY".Meadowlands Magazine. April 4, 2017.RetrievedDecember 12,2022.
- ^Seltzer, Brian (September 23, 2016)."On the Beat: New Training Complex Brings Modern Feel, Promise".NBA.com.RetrievedJanuary 31,2018.
- ^"Rutgers vs. Seton Hall basketball series formally extended".
- ^"History of Ultimate".www.wfdf.org.RetrievedNovember 28,2022.
- ^NJSIAA
- ^New Jersey High School News and SportsArchived2009-04-18 at theWayback Machine.iHigh.com, Inc – The High School Internet Network. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
- ^Jersey Club Sports - Have Fun. Play Sports. Be Social!
External links[edit]
