New Yankee Stadium Guide
The New Yankee Stadium is a celebration of extravagance. The prices reflect that. You may remember the somewhat humiliating press coverage of the Legend’s Suite ticket prices that had to be cut in half due to the fact that nobody was buying them. At over $2,000 each, I can’t blame them.
There are ways to find good value at The New Cathedral, and we will look into some of those ways.
There are ways to find good value at The New Cathedral, and we will look into some of those ways.
yankee stadium parking
There is plenty of free parking by New Yankee Stadium, but the bad part is it is all reserved for VIP guests, the Mayor, and other public officials. 660 spots in total, but if you aren’t a VIP you don’t need to worry about it.
Free parking for the schleps like me and you around the New Yankee Stadium is not so clear cut. I have had locals tell me that they never pay to park, because they arrive early and park in the South Bronx. He swears that he has done this since the 60’s and cops are everywhere and he has not had one safety issue. In my time at Yankee Stadium, (I am not a local), I didn’t feel too comfortable when I got turned around in the Bronx. If you are from the area, you may want to give it a shot, but I can’t explicitly recommend a specific spot. That rhymed. People drive like a lawless herd, which I found intimidating, but generally speaking you need to be able to parallel park exceptionally well to even attempt a search for free street parking in the Bronx.
In order to pay for the new stadium, the Yankees have jacked up ticket and parking prices. Official parking is running about $30 now, which is up from $18 in the final season at old Yankee Stadium. I have a feeling these rates aren’t going to be reduced anytime soon. As far as quantity, there is help on the way. The Yankees are adding a couple of more official lots just south of the stadium.
If you don’t go to many Yanks games, you want to be sure and allow yourself plenty of time to get to the ballpark. I would recommend arriving at least an hour early so you can check stuff out like the new concourse inside New Yankee Stadium. There is also a cool museum and other stuff to check out, but the moral of the story is parking and traffic are almost always a hassle, so plan ahead.
It is no secret that the recommended method of transportation to New Yankee Stadium is the subway system. You get dropped off just a stone’s throw from the stadium, and you don’t have to sit in traffic. You will still be in a claustrophobic environment as people are usually packed and stacked before and after the game in the train. If you can handle this, it is usually a more cost effective option if you are going to the game in a small group or alone. You are going to pay about $2.25 per person, each way. If you live or stay near a station, this is almost always a better option.
Free parking for the schleps like me and you around the New Yankee Stadium is not so clear cut. I have had locals tell me that they never pay to park, because they arrive early and park in the South Bronx. He swears that he has done this since the 60’s and cops are everywhere and he has not had one safety issue. In my time at Yankee Stadium, (I am not a local), I didn’t feel too comfortable when I got turned around in the Bronx. If you are from the area, you may want to give it a shot, but I can’t explicitly recommend a specific spot. That rhymed. People drive like a lawless herd, which I found intimidating, but generally speaking you need to be able to parallel park exceptionally well to even attempt a search for free street parking in the Bronx.
In order to pay for the new stadium, the Yankees have jacked up ticket and parking prices. Official parking is running about $30 now, which is up from $18 in the final season at old Yankee Stadium. I have a feeling these rates aren’t going to be reduced anytime soon. As far as quantity, there is help on the way. The Yankees are adding a couple of more official lots just south of the stadium.
If you don’t go to many Yanks games, you want to be sure and allow yourself plenty of time to get to the ballpark. I would recommend arriving at least an hour early so you can check stuff out like the new concourse inside New Yankee Stadium. There is also a cool museum and other stuff to check out, but the moral of the story is parking and traffic are almost always a hassle, so plan ahead.
It is no secret that the recommended method of transportation to New Yankee Stadium is the subway system. You get dropped off just a stone’s throw from the stadium, and you don’t have to sit in traffic. You will still be in a claustrophobic environment as people are usually packed and stacked before and after the game in the train. If you can handle this, it is usually a more cost effective option if you are going to the game in a small group or alone. You are going to pay about $2.25 per person, each way. If you live or stay near a station, this is almost always a better option.
There is seemingly constant construction going on around the New Yankee Stadium as well, which makes taking public transport even more convenient. If you are driving and turn down the wrong road, or get stopped by a detour sign, that could add 20 minutes to your trip.
tickets
I mentioned above that the Yankees had to bite the bullet and cut some of their premium seating prices in half to try to get butts in the seats. The biggest difference in seating from “The Cathedral” and the New Yankee Stadium is the huge amount of luxury and premium seating areas. Many have criticized the Yankees for making it almost impossible for average people to be able to attend a game. I will show you that you can still find good value tickets at a Yankees game, but it definitely has crept up the ladder of the most expensive ballparks.
I give the Yankees credit for not doing the ever popular tiered pricing structure for ticket prices. Most teams charge more based on the opponent, but the Yankees have a game day price and an advanced price. I guess one could argue that the Yankees just price every game like a “premium” game.
If you look for tickets in the inaugural season, you may find that most affordable tickets are already gone. If you can’t afford the luxury seating, you can wait till next year or search eBay and Stubhub. The Yankees have a StubHub stand outside the stadium, so it’s pretty convenient because you can just pick up your tickets there like the team ticket window.
Tickets are always available on eBay as well. Here is my advice for ticket buying on eBay; wait until the last minute. I know that sounds crazy, and you would think that closer to the event the prices would shoot up; but that is not the case. I have bought and sold plenty of tickets on eBay and I have found that when I sell them early I get top dollar because there is less competition. As the event gets closer, everybody in America who is selling tickets begins to list them at auction. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that when the market is flooded with supply the price is driven down. I don't know if there are any published numbers to back me up, but I have seen it time and time again. So if buying on eBay, buy late. Here are a couple of auctions ending soon with a current bid under $50.
tickets
I mentioned above that the Yankees had to bite the bullet and cut some of their premium seating prices in half to try to get butts in the seats. The biggest difference in seating from “The Cathedral” and the New Yankee Stadium is the huge amount of luxury and premium seating areas. Many have criticized the Yankees for making it almost impossible for average people to be able to attend a game. I will show you that you can still find good value tickets at a Yankees game, but it definitely has crept up the ladder of the most expensive ballparks.
I give the Yankees credit for not doing the ever popular tiered pricing structure for ticket prices. Most teams charge more based on the opponent, but the Yankees have a game day price and an advanced price. I guess one could argue that the Yankees just price every game like a “premium” game.
If you look for tickets in the inaugural season, you may find that most affordable tickets are already gone. If you can’t afford the luxury seating, you can wait till next year or search eBay and Stubhub. The Yankees have a StubHub stand outside the stadium, so it’s pretty convenient because you can just pick up your tickets there like the team ticket window.
Tickets are always available on eBay as well. Here is my advice for ticket buying on eBay; wait until the last minute. I know that sounds crazy, and you would think that closer to the event the prices would shoot up; but that is not the case. I have bought and sold plenty of tickets on eBay and I have found that when I sell them early I get top dollar because there is less competition. As the event gets closer, everybody in America who is selling tickets begins to list them at auction. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that when the market is flooded with supply the price is driven down. I don't know if there are any published numbers to back me up, but I have seen it time and time again. So if buying on eBay, buy late. Here are a couple of auctions ending soon with a current bid under $50.
Planning ahead is a good idea no matter what ballpark you are visiting. I would contend that those who find great value in tickets always are those who did plan ahead. The New Yankee Stadium is another great example of this.
The team offers specials such as $5 ticket nights, family nights, and bargain Tuesdays. The really cool thing about these is you are able to get the deal when you walk up to the window on gameday, or buy ahead. Visit the ticket specials page for the current packages, but at the time of my writing this, you can save some serious money off the face value. If you just want to get out to the stadium and you are flexible with the date – this is a phenomenal way to save money at the New Yankee Stadium.
Here is something else you can do to stretch your dollar. You may have been given tickets from a friend, or found a good deal on them somewhere else. The Yankees allow you to trade up and trade down on the day of the game at the official ticket window. So if you have 4 tickets with a face value of $48 a piece, you could downgrade them for $29 seats in the grand stand, and the Yankees will give you “Bomber Bucks” to spend in the stadium. You may not like that idea, but for a family of 4 that would be about $100 to spend in the stadium and you can still have a great view of the game. So you can feed the family and grab some souvenirs without spending any additional money.
best value sections
The bleachers are still the clear winner when we look at ticket prices alone. You have a decent view of the action, especially from right field where you are closer to the wall. If you are going bleachers, go right field. The downside to the bleachers is that you are disconnected from the rest of the stadium, so you can’t walk around the main concourses and get to all of the food stands in the stadium. However, for $14 each it’s really not bad. You also get to participate in a Yankee tradition that starts in the RF bleachers known as “role call”. Basically the fans chant every players name in the top of the first until they wave to the people in right.
The next best value in my opinion are the Grandstand seats behind home plate. In sections 420 A, B, and C you have an incredible view for $29 a piece. You will want to sit in the first 5 rows of the upper deck if possible, and if you have to sit in higher rows you need to avoid the aisle seat. The layout of the stairway is such to where people will be walking up the aisle in your sight line all game long. I wrote an article here that you may want to use as a guide for picking the right seats in these sections.
The next step up from the $29 tickets is the $48 terrace seats, which have a worse view than the upper deck seats behind the plate. I think the next jump worth it’s while is the $90 main seating down the lines on the first level. Main section 226 puts you almost even with the 3rd base bag, and you are sitting right behind a group of folks who paid $250 each for their tickets. I would either go “cheap” or step it up to something similar to those for your best value at New Yankee Stadium.
food
The Yankees are a little more strict than other teams with what you can bring into the New Yankee Stadium. You can take in food, but it has to be in a clear plastic bag. This can be snacks or real food, but you can’t bring it in a cooler like many other stadiums. The concession prices are outrageous, so this is a great way to save money when going to the New Yankee Stadium. You can also take in sealed bottles of water, which you could bring from home or pick up at some of the surrounding convenience stores in the area.
Another option that I consistently recommend is Restaurant.com Here you can buy $25 gift certificates to local restaurants for $10. You can also do a google search for "Restaurant.com coupon codes" and almost always get an extra 60 - 80% off that. I often buy these $25 certificates for $2. That is the best way to eat a decent meal before or after the game and save a chunk of change. When you follow the link, just type in the zip code of Yankee Stadium (10451) to see what restaurants are nearby.
There are several sports bars outside of Yankee Stadium, and you can pick up food and drink there before or after the game for less than you pay in the ballpark. Stan’s Sports Bar is arguably the most famous bar outside of the stadium, so if you are coming from out of town that may be a good place to start.
I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention the need to splurge for a Nathan’s hot dog inside the New Yankee Stadium. It is expensive, but oh it tastes so wonderful.
The team offers specials such as $5 ticket nights, family nights, and bargain Tuesdays. The really cool thing about these is you are able to get the deal when you walk up to the window on gameday, or buy ahead. Visit the ticket specials page for the current packages, but at the time of my writing this, you can save some serious money off the face value. If you just want to get out to the stadium and you are flexible with the date – this is a phenomenal way to save money at the New Yankee Stadium.
Here is something else you can do to stretch your dollar. You may have been given tickets from a friend, or found a good deal on them somewhere else. The Yankees allow you to trade up and trade down on the day of the game at the official ticket window. So if you have 4 tickets with a face value of $48 a piece, you could downgrade them for $29 seats in the grand stand, and the Yankees will give you “Bomber Bucks” to spend in the stadium. You may not like that idea, but for a family of 4 that would be about $100 to spend in the stadium and you can still have a great view of the game. So you can feed the family and grab some souvenirs without spending any additional money.
best value sections
The bleachers are still the clear winner when we look at ticket prices alone. You have a decent view of the action, especially from right field where you are closer to the wall. If you are going bleachers, go right field. The downside to the bleachers is that you are disconnected from the rest of the stadium, so you can’t walk around the main concourses and get to all of the food stands in the stadium. However, for $14 each it’s really not bad. You also get to participate in a Yankee tradition that starts in the RF bleachers known as “role call”. Basically the fans chant every players name in the top of the first until they wave to the people in right.
The next best value in my opinion are the Grandstand seats behind home plate. In sections 420 A, B, and C you have an incredible view for $29 a piece. You will want to sit in the first 5 rows of the upper deck if possible, and if you have to sit in higher rows you need to avoid the aisle seat. The layout of the stairway is such to where people will be walking up the aisle in your sight line all game long. I wrote an article here that you may want to use as a guide for picking the right seats in these sections.
The next step up from the $29 tickets is the $48 terrace seats, which have a worse view than the upper deck seats behind the plate. I think the next jump worth it’s while is the $90 main seating down the lines on the first level. Main section 226 puts you almost even with the 3rd base bag, and you are sitting right behind a group of folks who paid $250 each for their tickets. I would either go “cheap” or step it up to something similar to those for your best value at New Yankee Stadium.
food
The Yankees are a little more strict than other teams with what you can bring into the New Yankee Stadium. You can take in food, but it has to be in a clear plastic bag. This can be snacks or real food, but you can’t bring it in a cooler like many other stadiums. The concession prices are outrageous, so this is a great way to save money when going to the New Yankee Stadium. You can also take in sealed bottles of water, which you could bring from home or pick up at some of the surrounding convenience stores in the area.
Another option that I consistently recommend is Restaurant.com Here you can buy $25 gift certificates to local restaurants for $10. You can also do a google search for "Restaurant.com coupon codes" and almost always get an extra 60 - 80% off that. I often buy these $25 certificates for $2. That is the best way to eat a decent meal before or after the game and save a chunk of change. When you follow the link, just type in the zip code of Yankee Stadium (10451) to see what restaurants are nearby.
There are several sports bars outside of Yankee Stadium, and you can pick up food and drink there before or after the game for less than you pay in the ballpark. Stan’s Sports Bar is arguably the most famous bar outside of the stadium, so if you are coming from out of town that may be a good place to start.
I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention the need to splurge for a Nathan’s hot dog inside the New Yankee Stadium. It is expensive, but oh it tastes so wonderful.