MetLife Stadium

Overview

The East Coast Supercross Showcase

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MetLife Stadium stands as the premier East Coast venue for Monster Energy AMA Supercross, bringing the excitement of professional motorcycle racing to the shadows of New York City. Since joining the championship schedule in 2014 (replacing the long-standing Giants Stadium events), this modern facility has quickly established itself as one of the most prestigious stops on the tour.

Located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just across the Hudson River from Manhattan, MetLife Stadium offers a unique backdrop for Supercross, with the iconic New York City skyline visible from the stadium—creating dramatic imagery that connects this high-intensity motorsport with America’s largest metropolitan area.

Weather Variables and Racing Adaptability

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The April date for the East Rutherford round introduces a significant variable that sets this event apart from many others on the calendar: unpredictable spring weather in the Northeast. The event has experienced everything from perfect conditions to snow flurries, driving rain, and bone-chilling cold over its history.

This weather uncertainty creates unique challenges:

• Teams must prepare for multiple contingencies with different motorcycle setups
• Riders must adapt quickly to changing track conditions, sometimes during the same race
• Track builders must create designs that can withstand adverse weather while remaining safe and raceable

The 2018 event stands as perhaps the most extreme weather challenge in modern Supercross history, with freezing temperatures, snow, and sleet creating extraordinarily difficult conditions. The riders who conquered these elements demonstrated remarkable adaptability and skill, earning special recognition in the sport’s history.

Track Design and Characteristics

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The Supercross track built inside MetLife Stadium typically features:

• Long lanes that utilize the football field’s full length
• Technical rhythm sections that reward precision and timing
• Multiple options through certain sections, creating strategic choices for riders
• Challenging whoops sections that separate the field
• A balanced mix of elements that test both rider technique and motorcycle setup

The soil used at MetLife tends to be a clay-sand mix that provides good traction in dry conditions but can become extremely challenging when wet. Track builders must account for the facility’s proximity to sea level (the stadium sits just 7 feet above sea level) and the region’s typically higher humidity, which affects how the track material absorbs moisture and breaks down throughout the event.

Championship Implications

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The East Rutherford round typically falls late in the Supercross calendar, often as the penultimate event before the finale. This timing gives the MetLife race significant championship implications, sometimes serving as the site where titles are clinched or final showdowns are set up.

The high-pressure environment of racing near the season’s end, in front of one of the largest crowds of the year, with the added variables of potential weather challenges, makes the East Rutherford round a true test of a champion’s mettle.

The Stadium Experience

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MetLife Stadium offers a state-of-the-art facility for both competitors and spectators. As one of the newest and largest stadiums on the circuit, it provides:

• Excellent sightlines from virtually every seat
• World-class audiovisual presentation
• Spacious concourses with diverse food and beverage options
• Convenient transportation options, including direct service from New York City
• Cutting-edge facilities for teams and media

The stadium’s massive capacity—over 82,000 seats—creates a spectacular atmosphere when filled with enthusiastic Supercross fans from across the Northeast. This large venue attracts spectators from multiple states, with many traveling from Boston, Philadelphia, and even further locations along the Eastern Seaboard for the only Supercross event in the region.

New York Metropolitan Area Connection

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The proximity to New York City creates unique opportunities for the sport’s promotion. Riders often participate in media appearances throughout the city in the days leading up to the event, bringing Supercross to mainstream attention in America’s largest media market.

The Manhattan skyline backdrop provides distinctive imagery for broadcast coverage, helping Supercross showcase its connection to major urban centers rather than being perceived solely as a rural or western sport.

For teams and industry members, the New York area location offers an opportunity to experience one of the world’s great cities during their travel schedule, with many extending their stay to enjoy the cultural attractions, dining, and entertainment options unavailable at most other stops on the tour.

A Premier Event on the Calendar

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The East Rutherford Supercross has quickly established itself as one of the most anticipated events of the season. The combination of the world-class facility, the New York metropolitan connection, the potential for dramatic weather variables, and the high-stakes late-season timing creates an event that stands out on the calendar for riders, teams, and fans alike.

With the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets both calling MetLife Stadium home, the venue brings Supercross into a facility associated with the highest level of American sports, further cementing the championship’s position as a premier motorsports property worthy of such prestigious surroundings.