MetLife Stadium may be magnet for music's top artists, but gets low marks among NFL venues

A trip to MetLife Stadium will deliver a mix of emotions. While the 2.1 million square foot venue welcomes the likes of Beyoncé and is home to two NFL teams, it is universally hated by fans.

Thousands routinely arrive in droves to attend events like Super Bowl XLVIII nine years ago. The stadium is big enough to accommodate 82,500 seats and cost $1.6 billion to build. With huge event lineups and generous resources, MetLife should be among the best stadiums in the league.

NFL reporters at The Athletic beg to differ.

In their ranking of the best and worst 30 NFL stadiums, MetLife came at a disappointing, but perhaps not unsurprising, 25.

“The money was not particularly well spent. It’s a boring stadium — which is something universally agreed on by both Giants and Jets fans, a rarity — both in look and feel. The food is poor. And it’s always a disaster exiting the stadium, especially for fans — and that gets even worse after concerts. There’s a mall nearby but otherwise it’s not exactly an exciting area, especially as the home base for two teams that are supposed to represent New York City," Jets reporter Zack Rosenblatt wrote in the review.

Before even stepping through the concrete barriers, attendees are given a letdown. Interstate 95 and the swampy Meadowlands are adjacent to the stadium, so not the most scenic destination.

Stadium goers can enjoy the American Dream mall right next door, but parking could cost a fortune at $40 for general events and could go into the hundreds for special events. After spending even more money on the ticket, shopping around looks a bit less appealing.

Props have to be given to the stadium's expansive parking lot, which holds over 28,000 spaces and brings tailgating to a new level.

Now to the actual building. The stadium's design is neutral because it is shared by the New York Giants and the New York Jets. MetLife's metal exterior pales against places like the Raymond James Stadium that have a functional pirate ship and Tampa Bay Buccaneers colors painting the colosseum red.

Chowing down on hot dogs and buttered popcorn is a tradition many fans look forward to come gameday. According to The Athletic, you may want to eat before getting on the highway. While MetLife does have an uncertain history with its food, on one occasion a fan found maggots in the ketchup, it does have a wide variety. There are more than 20 food stands with options from Italian to Mexican.

The venue is looking to make improvements in light of hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority received $30 million in taxpayer funds to plan and implement renovations to the venue and surrounding area.

With these changes coming soon, maybe The Athletic will change its tune about the heart of New Jersey's sports center.