Shaded Seats at Sports Illustrated Stadium

Sports Illustrated Stadium (formerly Red Bull Arena) is a soccer-specific stadium located in New Jersey. It is the home of two New York City area soccer clubs: the New York Red Bulls and Gotham FC. Like other stadiums in the New York City area, Sports Illustrated Stadium is an outdoor venue that’s open to the elements. Fans heading out for a Red Bulls or Gotham game can use this guide along with the stadium seating chart to identify the shaded seats at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

Where are the seats in the shade and sun at Sports Illustrated Stadium?

As a general rule, the seats in the shade at Sports Illustrated Stadium are located:

• West Sideline: Shaded by mid-afternoon and evening
• Under Cover: Upper-level seats under the roof are shaded

And the seats in the sun are located:

• East Sideline: Sunny from early afternoon to sunset
• North Goal Line: Sun soaked throughout the day

Games at Sports Illustrated Stadium typically kick off in the late afternoon or evening with an occasional early afternoon event sprinkled in. The New York City area has all four seasons, so early and later in the soccer season you might prefer a seat in the sun whereas in the summer you’ll want to seek out that shade.

Sports Illustrated Stadium Orientation to the Sun

Sports Illustrated Stadium is oriented in a slightly off-center north to south direction. By noon the sun is high in the sky above the south goal line. Over the course of the afternoon the sun dips down behind the west side of the stadium and eventually sets closer to the north goal line. The unique roof at Sports Illustrated Stadium makes it a bit tricky to know which sections will be in the shade at different times of day, so continue reading for more details.

The graphic below shows the approximate location of the sun throughout the day on July 1st.

See an interactive seating chart for the next event at Sports Illustrated Stadium

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Afternoon Sports Illustrated Stadium Games

Sports Illustrated Stadium features a curved partially translucent roof that extends out toward the pitch and places most seats directly under cover. While this may be convenient during light rain it doesn’t necessarily protect every seat from the sun at every hour of the day.

For a game that starts early in the afternoon the best hope to avoid the sun is behind the south goal line or in the southwest corner. Sections 101-106 and 201-206 are solid choices for avoiding the sun’s rays. Make sure to be aware that sections 101, 102 and 133 are the home supporter’s section so only buy a ticket there if that’s where you want to be. Fans are more likely to find shade under cover in the upper-level early in the afternoon. However, the upper-level is often closed for Gotham FC matches and for smaller events. Make sure to check whether the event you’re planning to attend will use both levels or only the lower-level.

For a later afternoon game, sections along the west sideline will be shaded. Sections 107-113 are good choices if you want to avoid the sun at this time of day. Because of how Sports Illustrated Stadium is designed the upper sections on this side of the pitch are box seats, which are great if you’re willing to splurge. If you want to avoid the sun behind the goal line, try to stay toward the west, like in sections 114-118 and 214-218. The seats most likely to be in the sun in the late afternoon are in the northeast corner and along the eastern sideline.

By late-afternoon seats on the west sideline (right side in this photo) are in the shade, while seats on the east sideline (left) are still in the sun.
Blake Young / Alamy Stock Photo

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Evening Sports Illustrated Stadium Games

There are plenty of solid choices for seats in the shade for an evening game. By evening sections along the west sideline and behind both goal lines will be shaded at kickoff. East sideline sections stay sunny the longest. Depending on the start time and month of the year, seats in sections 124-128 and 224-228 may be in the sun for at least part of the game so bring your sunglasses if you choose a seat over here!

Ready to get your New York / New Jersey soccer tickets?

Use the individual game links or click or tap here to see an upcoming list of games at Sports Illustrated Stadium.