The best time for sports lovers to visit New York City

New York City is one of the world's sporting capitals and there us no better time for sports lovers to visit the Big Apple than autumn, or fall as our American friends call the season. 

From August through November, New York offers an unmatched portfolio of sporting events across many of the City’s multicultural neighbourhoods.

From the US Open tennis championships and the New York City Marathon to the city’s professional baseball, soccer, football, hockey and basketball teams, New York City’s sports scene is particularly dynamic during this time. 

“The late summer and autumn in New York City present a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the sports capital of the world,” NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon says.

“With storied franchises competing as major events take place across the five boroughs, this time of year offers unforgettable experiences and easy access to some of the most authentic neighbourhoods and attractions throughout NYC.”

Here's what to look out for: 

US Open Tennis Championships

In the last week of August, the most attended annual sporting event in the world returns to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens.

Stars like Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Sloane Stephens and Rafael Nadal will compete for the last grand slam championship of 2019 in front of more than 700,000 fans from August 26 to September 8, 2019. 

Major League Baseball

Yankee Stadium and Citi Field will attract tens of thousands of fans to watch the two local franchises compete through the end of summer and into the fall. The first-place Yankees play their last regular-season game in the Bronx on September 22 but are sure to compete in the playoffs as the favourites to win the World Series. Over at Citifield in Queens, the Mets play their last regular-season game at home on September 29.

Major League Soccer

Choose between watching New York City FC at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, and the New York Red Bulls across the Hudson River at Harrison, New Jersey, with regular-season games ending in October. 

National Football League Football

New York City’s Jets and Giants look play their first home games of 2019 on September 8 and 15, respectively. Both teams play at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just 8 miles from NYC.

National Hockey League Hockey

The New York Rangers play their home games at Madison Square Garden from October 3, while the New York Islanders open at the Barclays Center on October 6 after an exciting playoff run last season.

National Basketball Association Basketball

In late October, two of the most famous NBA teams will begin their 2019 basketball seasons. The Nets have welcomed superstars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant to Brooklyn, while the Knicks will play at Madison Square Garden with a team full of young and promising players.

New York City Marathon

The marathon will attract runners and running enthusiasts from around the world to all five boroughs on November 3. The iconic Tour de five boroughs begins in Staten Island and winds through each borough before finishing in Central Park on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.

For more information about sports attractions in NYC, visit www.NYCGo.com/Sports