SPORTS
New Jersey is a powerhouse of sports, offering a diverse and passionate landscape for fans and athletes alike! From world-class professional teams to thriving minor league clubs and storied collegiate programs, the Garden State punches above its weight in the world of athletics.
Catch electrifying NHL action with the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center in Newark, three-time Stanley Cup Champions with a fierce fan base. Football fanatics flock to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, where the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets play their home games. Soccer aficionados can cheer on Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls and the NWSL’s defending champions NJ/NY Gotham FC at the state-of-the-art Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison.
Baseball thrives with several beloved minor league teams: the Somerset Patriots (Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees), the Jersey Shore BlueClaws (High-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies), the Trenton Thunder (MLB Draft League), and the independent Frontier League’s New Jersey Jackals at historic Hinchliffe Stadium, along with the Sussex County Miners. Horse racing enthusiasts can enjoy live thoroughbred and harness racing at Monmouth Park Racetrack and Freehold Raceway.
Beyond the pros, New Jersey boasts a rich collegiate sports tradition with NCAA Division I powerhouses like the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Big Ten Conference), Princeton Tigers (Ivy League), Seton Hall Pirates (Big East Conference), Rider Broncs, Saint Peter’s Peacocks, and NJIT Highlanders. High school sports are also a fundamental part of New Jersey’s identity, fostering immense community pride and developing future talent.
Whether you’re rooting for a major league powerhouse, discovering a rising star in the minor leagues, or cheering on the next generation of athletes, New Jersey’s sports scene offers thrilling excitement year-round!
