By Matthew Frank
I got a chance to go to the home opening game at the New Giants Stadium (which I will always call it), and I can best describe my thoughts as: “eh.”
There are definitely some upgrades such as the four new huge screens in each of the corners. They are super clear and really easy to find from any point of view. Also, there is a lot of information posted throughout the stadium so it is easy to find up to date stats and information.
One of the best things for the regular fan are the widened concourses. It definitely got dingy in the old stadium and it is much easier to walk around and get from place to place now. Outside the stadium (but still inside the ticket booths) were a large field where kids can do football drills which is great. Also, they had some promotional things (such as a Captain Morgan’s booth) and the WFAN booth.
Overall though, you have to wonder about some of the design choices. In the old stadium fans could just walk up, pick one of the three escalators, and go directly to their section. Now, all fans (except those in premium sections) are herded into the “great hall.” This sounds great until you realize the great hall is really more like the great overhang. I think they were aiming to make it something like the entrance to Yankee Stadium or the Robinson Rotunda at Citifield, but it really just comes across as a big overhang with no real character. Then, all of the fans, regardless of level, are put through the same flight of stairs up the first level. This creates a big log-jam and a huge mess of people; especially those trying to get up to the upper levels.
The food was also really disappointing. Yes, it is a sporting even and you do expect to be gauged, but the prices were far higher then that of both new baseball stadiums and the food wasn’t nearly as good. Somebody is going to have to re-write the menu for the entire stadium.
I made it to the Giants Hall-of-Fame, which they refer to as the Legacy Club, and it was definitely neat to see the three Superbowl trophies as well as teh busts of all of the greats. But the room was fairly small and cramped; the ceiling especially was very low. There appears to be another room with more memorabilia, but that is apparently only open on non-game days.
Overall, the stadium was a bit dull and not much of a major upgrade of the old Giants Stadium. Except for a plethora of suits and luxury boxes, you have to wonder if the massive price tag for both the stadium and tickets are worth it.
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