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In November, 2008, following a media tour, I left Citi Field thinking it was very sterile, cold, ‘cookie cutter,’ and much too similar to PNC and Citizen’s Bank Park.
This is no longer the case.
Citi Field will have its own unique feel, and Mets fans are going to love it.
The organization continues to trumpet the words cozy and intimate.
However, I felt the opposite; and in a good way.
There will be a strong feeling of community in Citi Field, mark my words – more than was ever the case in Shea Stadium.
There are endless spots to hang out with friends, fans and family, grab a hot dog, grab a beer, watch the game, and walk around experiencing different angles and elements, with ease, and lots of freedom to move about, yet always feeling connected to the game and the team, which is unlike any ballpark I have been to. In fact, there are large, flat-panel monitors that can be easily be seen throughout the Promenades, so at any given moment you can look up, and catch a highlight or 
score from the ‘850 screens,’ and keep moving.
I always got lost in Shea Stadium. I attended 163 games in that building, yet even on the last day, I got lost trying to get from the Upper Deck to Field Level, because I kept using the wrong ramp.
In Citi Field, it is a breeze to get from right field to left field, or to get from the Promenade to the Field Level – all the while, should you need to, you can suddenly stop off, regardless of your ticket level, lean on any railing, and watch the on-field action.
That said, when you do stop and settle in your seat, the team is correct, Citi Field suddenly takes on a 
more intimate, cozy feeling.
Speaking of seats and angles, a) the seats are all slightly angled to face the field, which, until you actually sit and experience it, is hard to convey just how awesome and comfortable this is, and b), despite it feeling rhetorical, the team is correct, even when sitting in the worst seat in the house, I felt closer to the action than had been the case in a comparable seat in Shea.
The only concern I have will be for fans sitting behind home plate, up in Promenade Reserve, towards the back, because it appears, though you can see home plate, if there is a pass ball or a pop up behind home, the landing and railing may obstruct your view… I think.
There are plenty of bathrooms. However, what I think will limit long lines 
is not the actual number, but that each level, with their respective clubs, like the Delta Club, Cesars Club, etc., all have designated facilities, and so I believe there will be less of a mad rush with everyone scrambling for the restroom at one time and waiting. However, if you must wait, know there are big, flat-screen televisions above the door, so you can keep an eye on the game.
Speaking of the different, exclusive clubs, they are amazing, as are the suites and the press box, and the media room.
Fans who sit in a Promenade Club seat will have access to the Promenade Club, which has bistro dining, high top tables, restrooms, and a full bar and kitchen, and huge glass windows, that open, to see the field. 
This area is super nice.
Yes, we can still bring in sandwiches and food from home, to eat in our seats while watching the game. However, the ballpark will offer all sorts of food, including Taste of the City from Danny Meyer, which will include a Shake Shack and Blue Smoke, in addition to a Taqueria. There will also be Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, Crinkle Cut French Fries, Corn Dogs, Premio Sausage and Peppers, a Subway, Dunkin’ Donuts with hot and iced coffee, your standard peanuts, pretzels, popcorn and Cracker Jacks, Carvel ice cream, Mama’s of Corona, and Cascarino’s Pizza, among other things.
The old Home Run Apple from Shea Stadium is on display beyond right field, behind the bullpens, in what is called the Bullpen Plaza, which is accessible to fans who enter the ballpark through the Right Bullpen gate from 126th Street. I think it’s interesting too that, after so many years of going to this area for baseball games, 126th Street is about to be more relevant and will become a big part of the fan’s lexicon.
Also, the bullpens are protected by black chain-link fencing, and fans can see through it to watch – or heckle, I would think, since the visitor’s pen is closest to the entrance, while the home pen is below the stands and closer to the field, where fans in their seats can look down on who is warming up.
Next to the bullpens, on the ground level, 
behind the right field wall, is the Mo Zone Party Suite, sponsored by Modells. It’s tremendous, and I cannot wait to try and organize a MetsBlog.com Get-Together for this space. There are high-tables, a bar and food service, all in one spot. I believe this will essentially replace what was the picnic area at Shea, though it services only 150 people.
Gigantic, black-and-white, Mets murals are hanging outside, also viewable from the inside, over the left-field entrance.
Beyond center field is a wide-open space, 
behind the massive scoreboard, where you will find Beer Island, Shake Shack, and other restaurants, including a kiddie field, with the same dimensions as the main field, but about 90 percent smaller, where ‘kids of all ages’ can rent the space and play wiffle ball with their face on a mini scoreboard. The concession stand here, which will be the Shack Shake, features the electronic skyline from the top of Shea Stadium’s scoreboard. This made me nostalgic.
The team takes a ton of pride in the Jackie Robinson Rotunda; but, honestly, while I can tell it will be impressive, there is still construction being done and it is difficult to get a sense of its power. That said, it’s fairly obvious this will be an easy meet-up spot 
before the game.
The fan-purchased bricks are set in to the ground in front of the Rotunda, and I can kick myself for not buying one.
What was I thinking?
Speaking of the Rotunda, it is the only element in the ballpark that references the Dodgers, and it is a more of an homage to the player and his accomplishments than anything to do with the team he played for. I say this because, on this site, I criticized Fred Wilpon for designing Citi Field in honor of the Brooklyn Dodgers, who he grew up cheering for. The thing is, once you move two feet beyond the Rotunda, you are clearly in the home of the Mets – there is nothing that will make you think otherwise. I jumped the gun, as did 
others. This Ebbets-Dodgers thing is no longer a concern for me.
Above the Rotunda, behind home plate, behind the Promenade seats, is a second wide-open, uncovered, gathering spot, again, where fans can collect, eat, drink and watch the games on TV, while walking from right to left field. This is a common theme, and, as someone who is too antsy to sit, it’s something I’m very excited about.
The view and experience from the Pepsi Porch will be unique. Technically, 
some of these seats are in play, because when sitting in the seat against the railing, when I stood up and looked down, I could see the warning track. The home run wall, technically, is beneath you, behind you, and out of view. There will be a bleacher-crowd mentality in this space, I believe. There is an outdoor, uncovered concession area behind the Porch seats, essentially cut off from the rest of the ballpark. This is a cool spot. I will be watching a lot of games from the Porch.
In short, what struck me most about the ballpark is the variety of experiences, elements and places to watch the game from. There is something for everyone, whether you’re looking to dress nicely and go to 
dinner; whether you’re a family of four looking for a day in the sun; whether you are a rabid fan, looking to be with other fans, or just sit and keep score; or whether you’re like me, anxious and jumpy and looking to wander around; you could go to Citi Field 10 times and have 10 different experiences, all with the Mets and a baseball game as the common theme.
To watch MLB.com’s Tour of Citi Field, go here.
To watch my video from Citi Field, go here.
To access the 50 hi-res photos from my tour, go here.
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Great write up, April can’t come soon enough. I just hope for good weather when I go that first week.
Same here Matt – your description really makes the place sound amazing. Can’t wait for opening day.
Matt,
Excellent job!
On the Dodgers/Giants stuff…have they re-named those elements? I mean, isn’t there still an “Ebbet’s Club,” “Coogan’s Landing,” and “The Orchard?”
it sounds really great!
I hope I can find a few extra bucks
and take the wife to see a game
this season.
I was the first to say that we didnt need a new stadium. Now I can’t help but feel excited because in about 2 1/2 weeks we’ll be filling up what looks to be one of baseball’s nicest and certainly newest. I think the people complaining about the average fan being shut out are only looking for something to complain about. The first year or two will be difficult to buy a single game ticket but after that thwere are some extremely reasonable prices for some nice places (Pepsi Porch). My 15 game pack averaged to something like 40 bucks a game and i’ve got some pretty good seats
Kowalski, I can’t speak for others, but that is a concern of mine. With Shea, I could just go on a whim with a friend and see a game, purchasing the cheapest tickets. I don’t get the sense that I’ll be able to do that with Citi Field. I don’t see the cheaper tix being available. And I don’t really feel like waiting two years to see a game there. One thing that had me excited about Citi is how much fun it looks to just go to a game and hang out there, like Matt explained. I’ll just have to keep checking to see what’s available, but I don’t ever see myself paying $100 for a single game. We’ll see how things go and what winds up being available, although I do imagine that it will be the more expensive seats that are left empty, and the less expensive seats will be consistently sold out. Either way, it still looks like a beautiful park, and I can’t wait to watch games on TV at the very least.
On a side note, does anyone feel the way I do about the bullpens- I never like it when the visitor and home pens are right next to each other. I always felt that they should be on separate sides of the park. Maybe it’s just me.
Dude… Look at Stubhub… I’m seeling all of my avaialble seats at Face Value for Promenade Infield… Cheaper tix are out there…
Plus, it isn’t exactly a good thing for our beloved franchise if they are selling cheap day of game seats. The means the demand is low, which usually means a bad team.
There are always a wide-range of prices on Stubhub for most games (other than Opening Day, Yankees series, etc). Personally, I have no sympathy for someone who won’t drop a mere C-note on a Mets game. As a west-coaster, I only get to see them in person a few times a year (one trip or two back to NY, and a series or two here in the West – against SD, or the D’Backs or whatever). And, since I have to travel to see them, I make sure I get primo seats (within 10 rows of Mets dugout) and gladly pay the hundreds to do so.
the cheapest ticket will be $11. Once they start selling standing room, that will also be a good deal. The most expensive seat in the upper deck is $35 for opening day and subway series. Average upper deck price for a game will be around $22
Matt that was a great post. I am more excited for the season having read it than I was beforehand.
Technicality Matt. All Promenade Box seats do not have access to the Prom. Club… Only Promenade Club seats…
Thank you – the change is noted.
That said, excellent review! I’ve youred the ballpark and it is great. I hope the weather can hold out on Sunday to see what it’s like with a nice attendance in house…
Hey Matt, how about a large high res picture of that clubhouse carpet? I want to make it into a background for my comp
just click the all sizes tab
What you talking about Benny?
Top left of the picture is a tab that says ‘all sizes’ there are larger sizes there.
On the Flcikr site. click the “all sizes” tab above the picture to get the original size, it’s 3008×2000 resolution. Great idea though, made it my background too.
Fantastic pictures Matt. I have to admit, I’m impressed with your photography skills!
the thing that bothers me most about going to baseball games is all the people going in and out of the row of seats every three minutes and i can see this will only get worse. back in the day people left there seats once or twice a game and honestly i couldn’t care less if you are gonna spend your entire day walking around buying things, but please don’t get in the way of the view of the field and make me stand up twice an inning. They should have an area where fans can sit and pay attention to the game.
If it’s anything like the new ballparks, the ushers will not allow people up the stairs until the action is stopped.
Easy solution, lil pelf. Just buy tickets in the middle of a row. That way people to your left, go left and people to your right, go right. You sit undisturbed.
Janss is right, the ushers at new stadia keep you from going up and down the stairs during play. Metsgrl’s review that Matt linked to the other day mentioned they were training the new Citi ushers on this technique.
very interesting… i hope they announce for you to kindly unwrap you candy before the start of the game.
That’s awesome, if they actually enforce it. (Let’s face it, getting Shea ushers to do anything was a stretch).
and whats going on in the corner of left field right by the foul pole? whats the deal with those seats? are they not in place yet? why does it look messed up in that one spot?
The Acela Club restaurant is located on the Excelsior Level… It’s glass…
Are you talking about the pic with the space between the 2 seats? I think that might be a handicap accessible spot.
You are correct ,this is the norm in the new stadiums
no i mean, in the first few rows by the left field foul pole, whats going on there?
Hmm…that is odd….there is what appears to be a huge swath of concrete, no seats near the LF foul pole on field level.
For all ticket plan holders for this season, the Mets sent out complimentary tickets to the team’s final spring workout at Citi Field on Sunday April 5 at 11am. A really nice jesture to let plan holders tour around the stadium and check out the different views before the first game, all the tickets are general admission seating.
I’m sure there are plenty who can’t make it that day, there are probably opportunities to get these tickets for any interested in looking into it.
i count more billboards than seats in center and right field
Well, you would be counting incorrectly then…
Er…..no.
I really like the fact that there are plenty of places to move around and still watch the action. Now that I have small kids, I get nervous about spending good money on tix, and then the kids being to antsy to sit for long periods of time. Now if they get antsy after a few innings, we can just go stand in one of the common areas and watch from there for a bit. Can’t wait to get there.
The old Home Run Apple from Shea Stadium is on display beyond right field…
Are they serious?
It’s always been the plan… Why do you ask if they are serious? North Shore Neon has done a great job of repainting and rehabbing the old Apple…
Nice job Matt.
A lot of us wish that we had bought the bricks too.
I have been to Citi Field twice… I took about 300 pictures. It is FANTASTIC.
If this doesn’t pump you up for things to come, nothing will.
I think once people get inside Matt and see that the Promenade is less ‘Upper Deck’ and more ‘Mezzanine’, then people will understand that this is the anti-Shea…
I hope the Subway $5.00 foot longs don’t turn into $10.00 foot longs.
Weasel, they definitely won’t be $5. Usually those Subways, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Starbucks you find at highway reststops, stadiums, etc., are only loosely affiliated with the parent companies.
Every single Subway I’ve been to at a rest stop doesn’t have $5 foot longs and I when I worked at Starbucks, I wasn’t able to use my employee discount at the Starbucks inside Target.
Yea, I figured they wouldn’t have them. That would be too good to be true.
What concessions are available behind home plate at the promenade level? Seems like all the good stuff is out in center field.
‘Regular’ concessions stands will be scattered throughout the concourses…
However, for the amounts of people that will likely be waiting for the speciality foods, the CF area is large enough to accomodate…
I just got the map of where my brick is in the mail yesterday. I’ll be there May 9 to find it!
Thanks for a great post Matt.
does anyone know whats going on in the first few rows by the left field foul pole?
what is your issue? i don’t see anything amiss.
look straight ahead to the outfield wall by the foul pole. it looks like its still undergoing construction??
It’s a very small section of seating…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/metsblog/3389206089/in/set-72157615977143574/
Matt,
I complained in an earlier post about the direction of MetsBlog. This post is precisely what I love about this site. You give us little fans access to things we may not necessarily get and you give us the fan’s feeling not the Mets feeling.
This is one of the best posts you have had in a long time. Keep it up. With that said I am so excited to get to see citi on Sunday. I cannot wait for this season to start.
Thanks Matt! Great Review!
I still have one burning question:
Will there be sauerkraut on all levels?
Does everyone have access to the Pepsi Porch area during the game, or only if you have ticket for that area?
Thanks Matt, great job as usual.
Everyone is supposed to have complete access to the concourses of all levels except the Caesar’s Club… So you would be able to stand on top of the Porch and watch…
its 90 percent chance of rain sunday, does anyone know what the deal with the st. johns game is gonna be?
126th street will no longer be a place where you would look to find your stolen car being stripped for parts.
Nice recap. I was wondering if there are any bars outside the gates? Anyone know?
I don’t believe their are any Mets bars outside the entrance, which would be cool. I think they’re hoping/working on that whole Willets Point revival plan, which will be half a dozen years at best.
They should look to Chase Field in Phoenix as to how to put in bars outside. At Chase, there are numerous bars immediately across the plaza from the stadium.
I wonder with all this freedom that the stadium provides (and great vantage points in and around the stadium) will certain ticket holders prefer not to spend any time in their seats and instead find a place prefereable to them with a better view from which they will loiter the entire game.
If that occurs, I wonder if that will create problems.
Perhaps I am over-analyzing.
Early in the season I epxect there to be a lot of people walking around… However, this access is not an issue in the new ballparks…
All the new stadia I have been to have these sorts of great views from numerous walkable concourses & areas…and there are no problems.
Matt,
Any idea on where the retired numbers will be? Will the be doing something like Busch Stadium and put them in center field around the new apple?
Great job, Matt! I can’t wait to get over there. I’m now definitely considering getting tickets to Friday’s game now.
Let’s Go Mets!
AWESOME POST! i cant wait to go to citi. and yeah, i times are tough and i didnt have the money for a brick. still stings that i couldnt get one. NON-BRICKERS UNITE!
What about all the obstructed seats? The first two rows in the upper deck box is a nightmare. The fans in the first 3 or 4 rows in the promenade section will be craning their necks around the people milling about in the aisles. The various plexiglas boxes are a major problem if you’re behind one of them.
I just don’t understand the attraction of going to a game, then sitting in a restaurant with a poor view of the action. Wouldn’t going to an actual restaurant with a view of a big screen TV be better?
That being said, it is a nice ballpark in many instances. I just feel, as in the new Yankee Stadium, they spend more time worrying about everything other than actually watching the game.
Hey Matt, I can’t quite tell from your pictures, and I’ve been trying to figure this out. Is the outfield wall green or black?
Comment for CEETAR: The best place to drink outside of shea is a place we like to call RAYS…its a small deli within the chop shop area that sells coronas for $2.00 each. The people that work there are great and they recently bought a flatscreen. If the city does eminent domain on that place the mets should have them open up a spot within the stadium. Ive been going to rays for pre and post game fun for close to ten years and its a blast!