A new era in the history of the New York Yankees began in 2009 when the team moved

from the most famous and historic stadium in the world to their new stadium across

East 161st Street. The name, Yankee Stadium, remains the same, and it appears that

ghosts of the old Yankee Stadium moved to the new one as the New York Yankees won

their 27th World Championship in 2009. For over eight decades the Yankees played at

the old Yankee Stadium. When it opened in 1923, it was the largest and most

magnificent stadium in baseball and was home to many legendary players and teams.

Due to its deteriorating condition in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Yankee Stadium

was renovated and rebuilt between 1974 and 1976. Since that renovation, nearly every

team in baseball either renovated or had a new ballpark constructed. While many fans

and traditionalists would have preferred the Yankees to remain at Yankee Stadium, the

team wanted a new ballpark built in order to generate additional revenue and to offer

fans more amenities and luxuries. After years of discussions and rumors, the New York

Yankees officially announced plans for a new Yankee Stadium in June 2005.

Constructed adjacent to the old Yankee Stadium, groundbreaking occurred on August

16, 2006. The Yankees financed the $1.6 billion project and the City of New York spent

$220 million for infrastructure and other improvements in the area.

On April 16, 2009, the New York Yankees played their first game at the new Yankee

Stadium against the Cleveland Indians. Tradition and the look of the original Yankee

Stadium prior to its renovation in the 1970s is incorporated into the new stadium. The

new Yankee Stadium seats approximately 52,000 fans as the main grandstand consists

of four levels stretching from foul pole to foul pole, with nearly 30,000 seats in the first

two levels. The third level contains 56 luxury suites and the fourth level features a split

level upper deck. Fans who enjoyed sitting in the bleachers at the old Yankee Stadium

can continue to do so at the new stadium as it has the same number of bleachers and

includes a food court. Many elements are incorporated into the new stadium that were

lost when Yankee Stadium was renovated in the 1970s. The stadium consists of two

separate structures. The exterior wall, consisting of limestone and granite, constructed

to replicate the original Yankee Stadium facade, built in 1923, is known as the Great

Hall. It features 31,000 square feet and serves as the concourse before entering the

stadium. The interior stadium itself rises over the top of the exterior. From the outside,

the structures appear as one building almost identical in materials and design to the

original stadium. Cavernous concourses give way to open spaces with sight lines to the

field from nearly every vantage point in the stadium.

The signature copper frieze and the lattice work that once rimmed the original stadium

roof and was recreated in the outfield of the renovated Yankee Stadium, is now

replicated in its original location at the new Yankee Stadium. Monument park is located

beyond the outfield fence in centerfield below a restaurant that makes up the batters

eye. The new stadium has the same dimensions and bullpen placements as the old
Yankee Stadium. A 56ft. by 101ft. high definition video scoreboard is located in the

outfield. Hand operated auxiliary scoreboards are incorporated as part of the right-

center and left-center fences. There are many amenities at the new stadium including

luxury, outdoor and party suites, club seats, a martini bar, steakhouse and picnic areas.

A Yankees Museum that displays memorabilia of great Yankee teams and players from

the past, along with a Hard Rock Cafe is located in the Grand Hall.

Since its opening, there have been few enhancements at the stadium. The largest and

most recent change at Yankee Stadium occurred before the start of the 2017 season. A

$20 million project eliminated 1,100 obstructed-view seats in the bleachers and 600 in

the Terrace Level. Replacing the bleachers are gathering and socializing spaces that

include the MasterCard Batter’s Eye Cafe and the Budweiser Party Decks. Additionally, a

children’s zone, the Sunrun Kids Clubhouse was added on the 300 level in right field.

The 2,850 square foot area is outfitted with a mini-baseball field, Yankees-themed

playground equipment and over-sized baseballs and bases.

In 2009, the Yankees were able to accomplish the same feat that the 1923 Yankees did

when the original Yankee Stadium opened, by winning the World Series. Like its

predecessor, Yankee Stadium hosts many events other than baseball. It is the home to

the annual Pinstripe Bowl (NCAA), has hosted Notre Dame and Army college football

games, boxing and soccer matches, concerts and two New York Rangers hockey games

as part of the 2014 NHL Stadium Series.

Music at the New Yankee Stadium

At the original Yankees stadium they had the tradition of playing New York, New

York by Frank Sinatra after each home game. Then, after the 9/11 attacks they started

playing God Bless America in the seventh inning stretch. A year later, they began to

play Take Me out to the Ballgame by Kate Smith. Other popular songs have also been

played at the stadium, including the beginning of Workaholic, by 2 Unlimited, which was

played whenever the Yankees made a home run, and Enter Sandman by Metallica,

when player Mariano Rivera entered the field. Then, since 1998, when the Yankees won

the World Series, they started playing We Are The Champions by Queen followed

by New York, New York by Frank Sinatra.

New York Yankees Stadium Tour

One of the most popular sports-related tourist activities in New York is taking a tour of

the Yankees Stadium. Consider that, in order to do this, you must buy your tickets and

book your tour in advance on the stadium’s website. Usually, tours take place between

11:00 and 13:00 h, but the only bilingual tour (English/Spanish) is programmed at

13:00 h.

The areas the tours usually visits include the New York Yankees Museum, the

Monument Park, the press box, and the dugout, so you’ll enjoy the best views of the

stadium from different perspectives, and have access to VIP areas.

How to Get to the New York Yankees New Stadium

Once you’ve booked your tour, keep in mind that you must arrive 15 minutes before it

begins and meet the group at the entrance of theHard Rock Cafe at the stadium. The

nearest subway station is 161st St – Yankee Stadium and you can get there by taking

trains B and D from Manhattan. The ride takes around 30 min.

DINKtravelers, your world travel guide, recommends you travel to New York in January,

since you can find this tour and many other events and attractions at great discounts

or 2 for 1 tickets during the New York Week.

What to See at the New Yankee Stadium Museum

The museum you’ll visit when you take the tour of the stadium exhibits trophies, photos

and other objects related with the team’s history. It also has the collection of rings the

Yankees have won in the World Series, and 870 baseballs autographed by players and

coaches. The museum opens only when there are no games programmed.

The Treasures at New York Yankees Monument Park

In this part of the stadium you’ll find an open-air museum that exhibits a collection of

monuments, plaques and retired numbers. You’ll also see plaques in honor of popes

Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI, as well as one dedicated to Nelson Mandela,

who visited the stadium in 1990.

One of the retired player numbers was Henry Louis Gehrig’s number four. His

nickname was “the iron horse”, and he played with the Yankees his whole career. He

was the Most Valuable Player twice, and All-Star player on seven consecutive occasions.

He also played in six World Series. In 1939, he was chosen for the Baseball Hall of

Fame, and his player number was the first to be retired. Unfortunately, an incurable

neuromuscular disease put an end to his career and forced him to retire at 36, before

he passed away two years later. Since his passing, scientists have struggled to find a

cure for this illness, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. On your visit to

Monument Park, you’ll find a plaque dedicated to Gehrig.

What to Eat at the Yankee Stadium

If you visit the stadium on a game day, you’ll find many food and snack options. In fact,

there are 25 fast food restaurants and 112 stalls. Baseball fan’s favorite foods are

hamburgers and sandwiches (there are vegan options available), popcorn, ice cream,

beer, sushi, salads, BBQ ribs, pizza, and even milk shakes.

Where to Sit at the Yankee Stadium

Make sure you choose the best seats for your next Yankees game. Usually, tickets cost

between 40 and 400 USD. Evidently, the most expensive seats are located behind the

home plate, at mid-height in the stands.

However, if you travel with a group of friends, we recommend you reserve a private

suite for 12-34 people. These include food and non-alcoholic beverages, parking, gifts,

a private restroom and a great view of the field. Not traveling with a big group? You

can still enjoy a VIP experience by reserving Premium seats at the Ketel One Lounge,

located near the first base, or the Halstead Lounge, located near the third base. This

option includes a buffet and non-alcoholic drinks, table service, cushioned seats, private

restrooms and concierge services. Additional benefits included in this program are ticket

discounts and greet and meet experiences.

Sustainability at the New Yankee Stadium

On April 3rd 2019, the Yankees became the first North American sports team to

join the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, whose purpose is to reduce

greenhouse emissions and inspire other to adopt green practices. But this initiative only

complements what the stadium already offers. Among its eco-friendly qualities, the

Yankees stadium:

 Has high-efficiency LED illumination.

 Has an entrance hall bigger than that of any other sport events venue in the

world. Its distribution promotes natural cooling and ventilation, substituting the

need for air conditioning.

 Applies compost and recycling systems for food packing, trays, plates, cups and

other items.

 Is built with recycled structural iron and recycled concrete.

 Continuously checks its drain systems, allowing the stadium to save 3 million

water gallons per year, compared with the amount of water spent in the old

stadium.