A 4:10 start is the best time slot Citi Field has: you get the sun on the third-base side for the first few innings and then a genuinely pleasant early-September evening for the back half. September games against a National League contender carry weight the July ones do not, and the Giants bring a traveling crowd. If you want to do two things in Flushing Meadows in one day, this and a US Open grounds pass are separated by a single subway stop.
What to expect
You come out of the 7 at Mets-Willets Point onto a ramp that drops you at the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. Inside, the Shea Bridge in right-center and the food row behind center field are the two places everyone congregates. Late-afternoon games empty out onto a platform shared with US Open traffic, which makes the ride home slower than usual.
Good to know
- 7 train to Mets-Willets Point puts you at the gate; the LIRR Port Washington branch also stops there.
- The US Open is running in the same park all weekend, so expect the subway platform to be far busier than a normal game day.
- The Jackie Robinson Rotunda behind the main entrance is worth ten minutes before you find your seat.
- Third-base side gets the sun for an afternoon start; first-base side goes into shade sooner.
- Citi Field is cashless and has a clear-bag policy, so plan your bag and payment before you leave.
- Good game for families, since an afternoon start ends before bedtime.
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Common questions
How do I get to Citi Field without driving?
The 7 train to Mets-Willets Point stops at the ballpark, and the LIRR Port Washington branch stops there on game days.
Will the US Open crowd affect my trip?
Yes. The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is in the same park and shares the Mets-Willets Point station, so trains in both directions run much fuller than usual.
Can I bring a bag?
Citi Field enforces a clear-bag policy and is cashless, so bring a small clear bag and a card rather than cash.
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