When the Dodgers left Brooklyn for Los Angeles after the 1957 season, Ebbets Field, one of baseball’s most nostalgic ballparks, was lost to history. Decades later, the opening of Baltimore’s Camden Yards in 1992 ushered in a new wave of retro ballparks that paid homage to classic stadiums, including Ebbets Field. Fittingly, Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, captures one of Ebbets Field’s most iconic features: its distinctive home plate entrance. This is particularly ironic because, when the Dodgers were still in Brooklyn, New York City officials had proposed building a new ballpark on the very site where Citi Field now stands.

For over half a century, the Mets have called New York City home. Since 1964, they have been rooted in Queens, where they played for 44 seasons at Shea Stadium—a multipurpose venue that fans had a love-hate relationship with. By the mid-1990s, the Mets began advocating for a new ballpark, as Shea Stadium lacked the modern amenities found in newer stadiums. In 2006, the Mets unveiled plans for a new ballpark and secured approval for $632.1 million in bonds for construction. Groundbreaking took place on November 13, 2006, in Shea Stadium’s parking lot, and the ballpark was officially named Citi Field after Citigroup, Inc. purchased naming rights for $20 million annually over 20 years.

Whether arriving by car or stepping off the 7 Train, fans are greeted by a structure that evokes memories of Ebbets Field. Citi Field’s exterior features a stunning red brick and limestone facade with arched entrances, reminiscent of the Dodgers’ legendary former home. The most striking feature is the Jackie Robinson Rotunda at the main entrance, a grand tribute to the trailblazing icon. Inside the rotunda, visitors find nine ideals associated with Robinson engraved on the floor, alongside flat-panel TVs playing highlights of his historic career. Escalators and grand staircases lead fans to their seats, and the open-air concourses throughout the ballpark provide continuous views of the field.

With a seating capacity of 42,000, Citi Field offers an intimacy that Shea Stadium never could. Nearly 42% of the seats are located in the lower deck, ensuring fans feel closer to the action. The main three-tier grandstand stretches from the right-field foul pole to home plate, extending to the left-field foul pole and into left-center field. Additional seating is located in right field, where the Pepsi Porch—a section inspired by Tiger Stadium—overhangs the field, creating opportunities for easy home runs. One of the most unique group areas at Citi Field is The Clubhouse, a field-level seating section in right field that provides an unparalleled view of the game. Fans also have access to several exclusive clubs, including the Ebbets Club and Delta Sky Club behind home plate, as well as the Acela Club, a restaurant located in the left-field corner between the lower and upper decks.

Citi Field is rich with amenities. The enhanced outfield picnic area, known as Taste of the City, offers a variety of dining options and a lively atmosphere where fans can mingle. The ballpark also features an interactive Mets museum showcasing team memorabilia and Hall of Fame displays. The famous “Big Apple,” a beloved feature from Shea Stadium, has been replicated and now sits behind the center-field fence, rising each time a Mets player hits a home run. Fans can also pose for photos with the original Apple, which is now located outside Citi Field. Additionally, the iconic skyline that once adorned Shea Stadium’s scoreboard has been relocated to the top of a restaurant in center field. Citi Field boasts two high-definition video scoreboards, one in center field and another in right-center field.

The Mets inaugurated Citi Field on April 13, 2009, in a game against the San Diego Padres. However, due to a lack of home runs in its early years, the team adjusted the ballpark’s dimensions before the 2012 season. The outfield walls in left field were lowered from 12 feet to 8 feet and moved in by 4 to 12 feet, depending on the area, creating a new limited seating section between the original and new fences. Further adjustments were made before the 2014 season, with the deepest point in right-center field reduced from 390 feet to 380 feet, and other walls moved in by 5 to 11 feet. These changes also introduced new bar-style seating in the newly created space. Prior to the 2023 season, the Mets installed a massive new video scoreboard in center field, measuring 17,400 square feet—three times larger than its predecessor.

Citi Field became the site of playoff baseball in 2015 when the Mets won the National League pennant, marking the ballpark’s first postseason games. With its blend of modern amenities and nostalgic design, Citi Field offers fans an exceptional baseball experience while honoring the rich history of the game.

Citi Field Pictures