In Pictures: Red Bull Arena Opening
March 21, 2010 
16 Comments
BY SHAWN FRANCIS
Yesterday was memorable day for Red Bull New York, Major League Soccer and their fans. With the opening of the $200 million Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ, soccer has a real home in the New York area but also a new destination for fans nationwide. From the 1st-half goal explosion on through to the post-game fireworks it was an electric evening along the Passaic River; here are some of the stand-out images from the event.
Stunning. A worldly city final gets a home for the world’s game. We’ll drink to that. Great photos, Shawn.
The new stadium is great, but fact of the matter is the team name/mascot is still an energy drink.
Can we get some video? Hurry up already
Looks fantastic. When they played in Giant Stadium, I can’t remember seeing that many supporters who looked into the game like I saw in the pics. RBNY is going to have a fantastic year, I think they’ve turned the corner.
Beautiful! We have a nice one here in SLC, but this blows it away. I certainly hope more owners will build stadiums like this one with seats all around and a roof. Get rid of the stupid stages already…every stadium looks the same!
Here you go Hurry McImpatient. http://www.bit.ly/cGcBAz
good day for soccer fans all around USA.
Good looking stadium and all, but how come no has mentioned Lindsey Vonn’s big o’ butt, she was looking good.
To Jake: We all understand about the “Red Bulls” and the energy drink connection… (“Gee Jake, REALLY? GOSH!”)…while your comments are not a revolutionary eye opener to anyone except maybe to you – its really not the “downer” you imagine considering the real uniqueness: our sponsor has a cool logo and yes is part of our name…as opposed to SHARP, Vodaphone, T-Mobile, or one of the many Airlines, tire or car manufacturers, OR GAMBLING HOUSES or CORRUPT BANKING institutions that carry or carried their names on the biggest jerseys in World Football!! Yes, some longtime fans of the MetroStars have had trouble adjusting to this logo BEING EVERYWHERE, but they brought us this stadium – ya damn right they should put their logo everywhere! And it doesn’t hurt that it looks cool and in 10 years when the Academy in Ghana and the teams in Germany, Brazil, and yes home in Salzburg, are collecting trophies at a respectable if not breakneck pace I am sure New York will be an integral part of the marketing success. There is a bottom line afterall and this is BIG BUSINESS…so, Jake GET OVER IT and enjoy the football….and yes – have a laugh once in awhile over the irony! I know I do BUT I don’t use it to spoil what those great people from Salzburg have brought New York and MLS!!! One more irony? I drink the stuff ALL THE TIME! Guess I have been DRINKING THE “KOOL-AID”…GO RED BULLS!!!
History is full of clubs that were formed for the sole intention of promoting a corporation’s identity. Red Bull is simply being overt about it. Are Kroenke and AEG not corportations. Just because they chose generic names like Rapids and Galaxy does not mean they are any more authentic as football clubs. To me, the moniker “Red Bulls” represents a nascent and passionate commitment to football in this country. How so? Well for starters, they were able to build the best football stadium in this country without any public money. They cancelled AEG’s plans for artificial turf, a concert stage, and more luxury suites. They fund arguably one of the best academy systems in MLS. And they are clearly willing to spend the money to bring high profile players from overseas as league rules permit. It seems like they are making every effort to create an authentic football experience for fans in New York. That is when you back the club and its name, not trash it. Ask those enthusiastic fans in Portland how they feel when they see their boys bouncing the ball around on fake grass with American football lines the day after a Portland State game. How does a club that truly cares about the sport and its fans let that happen. I like the name and appreciate the commitment to football that it represents. I look forward to attending a game this year with all the fantastic Red Bulls supporters.
looks awesome cant wait to see some awesome soccer/football beign played there. this comming acroos other side of the country.
A perfect soccer day. Perfect.
i asked my uncle what he thought of the place and he said, it had a very nice atmosphere, good view and decent angles and pretty close to teh action overall but ugly beyond belief from the outside..it looks unfinished.
Still havent seen outside shots to see what hes talking about.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48718903@N06/sets/72157623686305776/detail/
More pics and videos from the grand opening: http://bit.ly/9CxMGb