MetLife Stadium is set to begin its busiest stretch since opening, kicking off a summer calendar highlighted by a record number of major concerts and international sports events. The 2025 schedule includes 39 total events, starting this week.
Venue officials anticipate hosting 24 concerts over the summer months, a new high for the East Rutherford facility. This figure, combined with other sports and entertainment bookings, establishes the season as the most active since the stadium's debut in 2010.
The summer events slate starts today with the first of two nights featuring musical artists Kendrick Lamar and SZA. The lineup later includes multiple dates for performers like Beyoncé, Shakira, The Weeknd, and Zach Bryan, along with a performance by the reunited band Oasis.
Managing the density of events, particularly the concentration of musical acts, presents logistical challenges. In August, the stadium plans to host five concerts with four different headliners across just six days. Ron VanDeVeen, President and CEO of MetLife Stadium, said the compressed schedule is possible because they will all share the same basic stage.
This stage-sharing approach aims to reduce the time required for production load-in and load-out between shows. Turnarounds following some performances are scheduled for less than 24 hours. VanDeVeen stated, "We are now doing the turnaround after the first concert in less than 24 hours, and we will do that three times."
In addition to the concert series, the stadium is hosting major sports competitions. The FIFA Club World Cup takes place over several dates in June and July, concluding with the tournament final on July 13. World Wrestling Entertainment's SummerSlam also returns August 2 and 3, presented as a two-day event at the venue for the first time since WrestleMania 35 in 2019.
Stadium leaders attribute the ability to manage this volume to the facility's design and its operational staff. Steve Sansonese, vice president of facility operations and events, indicated the stadium is built to accommodate multiple types of events efficiently. He highlighted the experienced staff as a primary asset, stating, "If it were not for the staff, we would never be able to do what we do here on a consistent basis."
The location of the stadium, less than 10 miles from New York City, also contributes to its ability to attract large events. For attendees, managing traffic and transportation is a consideration. Public transit options include NJ Transit Rail service from Secaucus Junction or Coach USA bus service from Port Authority. Parking is available for a fee, and tailgating is permitted under stadium guidelines. Umbrellas are not allowed inside the venue during rain events.
The upcoming months draw comparisons to previous busy periods, such as the summer of 1994 which included a FIFA World Cup semifinal. VanDeVeen noted that while busy, the scale of events planned for 2025 represents a significant increase in scope. The stadium is also scheduled to host matches as part of the 2026 World Cup.
