New York Mets Citi Field Fan Guide

Sportsfanfocus.com has no affiliation with Citi Field, the New York Mets, or MLB (info)

This is a guide to New York Mets Citi Field. Going to a baseball game can be fun, but it is also a unique experience that you will want to plan for accordingly. There are certain policies and procedures you will want to be aware of beforehand, as well as stadium gate and parking lot locations for easy entrance.

Need Tickets or Parking Passes? – I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seat will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view New York Mets tickets and parking passes available at VividSeats.com (affiliate link takes you to vividseats.com).

In this article we will discuss:

What to bring to a New York Mets Game
New York Mets Ticket Information
Citi Field Gate Information
Does Citi Field Accept Cash?
How Long are New York Mets Games?

Table of Contents

What to Bring to a New York Mets Game?

If you are going to a New York Mets game, below is a list of things you might need to bring. You will want to make sure you are complying with any security protocols the stadium has:

Clear Stadium Bag – Many stadiums have strict bag policies and recommend a clear stadium bag like this one available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com)

Parking Pass – Many stadiums recommend fans to pre-purchase parking passes if needed to help avoid the hassle and wait times associated with buying passes at the stadium. Click here to view the current prices of New York Mets parking passes and tickets available at Vivid Seats (paid affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com)

Weather and Sun protection – Citi Field is an open-air stadium, which means you will want to be prepared to face the elements when you attend a New York Mets game. Things like sunscreen, hats, jackets, and rain ponchos may be needed depending on weather forecasts.

Bug Repellent – Because Citi Field is open air, bugs may be an issue during summer. Just make sure your bug repellent meets stadium safety guidelines for aerosol cans.

Baseball Glove – Some fans like to bring a baseball glove to the stadium in hopes of catching a foul ball.

Noise-Canceling Headphones – Stadiums can get very loud, and noise-canceling headphones may be needed for toddlers.

Camera – Some fans like to bring a camera into the game. Just make sure your camera meets the stadium requirements regarding cameras and video recorders.

Cashless Payment – Many stadiums are slowly transitioning to cashless payments, so bringing a form of payment other than cash is never a bad idea.

Can You Bring a Bag Into Citi Field?

As an emphasis on security has increased in recent years, most stadiums have adjusted their bag policies. Many stadiums recommend using a clear stadium bag like this one available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).

Clear stadium bags help with security at the gate, and not only make the stadium safer, but also help security lines move faster. But each stadium has its own safety guidelines, and may include certain exceptions. To read more, I would advise you to visit the New York Mets information guide.

New York Mets Ticket Information

Can You Buy Tickets at Citi Field?

Most MLB teams are now using digital tickets and recommending fans to download the MLB Ballpark app. The MLB Ballpark app is MLB’s free, official app that makes it easy to access, manage, and use your tickets.

Buying from the team, if possible, is always the best option. But some fans like to use online ticket brokers like StubHub and Vivid Seats, which give you access to re-sold fan-to-fan tickets.

I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seats will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view New York Mets tickets available at Vivid Seats (affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).

The Mets main ticket office at Citi Field is located on the southwest side of the stadium (view) near the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. You will see an overhang and a sign that says “Tickets”.

You can buy tickets online through the team’s website, or by downloading the MLB Ballpark App to your mobile device. The MLB Ballpark app is MLB’s free, official app that makes it easy to access, manage, and use your tickets. This is where you can learn more about the Ballpark App.

To read more, visit our article about buying Mets tickets at Citi Field.

Issues with Buying Mets Tickets at the Stadium

If you are choosing to buy Mets tickets at Citi Field, there are a few risks and annoyances you will want to consider.

Sellout – This is the big one. As we mentioned above, some Mets home games do sellout. Walking up and buying tickets at Citi Field might not always be an option. But even though the games sell out, that doesn’t mean you can’t get tickets. It does mean you may need to use a ticket broker, like Vivid Seats, that sells aftermarket tickets (fan-to-fan).

Ticket Lines – Be prepared, waiting in line is a possibility if you choose to buy at the stadium. The overall wait can obviously fluctuate depending on the specific circumstance, and may be relatively short for some games. But a wait is possible.

Convenience – When you buy at the stadium, you will have to abruptly choose your seats while standing at the front of a line. Depending on the length of the line behind you, this may make you feel rushed when choosing where to sit. Buying online allows you to take as much time as needed to choose your seats and price.

There are also several retail stores located inside Citi Field in case you want to buy fan gear prior to the game. To learn more, visit our Mets Jersey Guide.

New York Mets Citi Field Gate Information

Citi Field gates open 2 hours prior to game time. Citi Field has several gate entrances conveniently located around the outside of the stadium.

Depending on where you park, and where your seats are located, one entrance might make more sense for you than the others. To read about the location of each, and what parking lots make the most sense for you, visit our Citi Field Gate Guide.

Fans can enter early to watch batting practice once stadium gates open. For more information, visit our article about watching Mets batting practice at Citi Field.

How Long Does a New York Mets Game Last?

You can expect a New York Mets game to last slightly over three hours on average, but it is worth noting that some games can last closer to four hours depending on pace of play. In 2021, the average Major League Baseball game lasted 3 hours and 10 minutes (source).

The length of games has become a point of emphasis for Major League Baseball as many fans site pace of play as one thing they’d like to see improve with the sport. In recent years, Major League Baseball has taken steps to help shorten the length of games, but the effectiveness of these measures is still under evaluation.

Major League Baseball games consist of nine total innings, with the exception of double header games which are only 7 total innings in length. If you are heading to Citi Field, planning for a 3-4 hour game is probably the safest bet. To read more, visit our article about the length of baseball games.

Does Citi Field Accept Cash Inside the Stadium?

Citi Field does not accept cash payments. Inside Citi Field there are several reverse ATMs where you can exchange cash for a prepaid Mastercard to use throughout the stadium.

New York Mets Contact Info

This website (sportsfanfocus.com) has no affiliation with Citi Field, the New York Mets, MLB, or any of the events hosted at this facility.

Any information is provided “as is” with no guarantee of completeness, meaning much of this information is subject to change, and although we do our best to keep these guides updated, we can’t guarantee accuracy at all times. For all official information, we urge you to contact the New York Mets staff. Contact information is below:

Citi Field – View Stadium Information
New York Mets – View Contact Information
Buying Citi Field Parking Pass