New Jersey city guide: Key information for Leeds fans

Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, will host Leeds United's second fixture of their pre-season tour of the United States, with Daniel Farke's side taking on fellow Premier League outfit Sunderland in the early hours of Friday, July 31, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30am BST.

The match forms part of TEG Sport's 2026 Summer Soccer Series, which also sees the Whites face Wrexham at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on July 25 and Liverpool at Soldier Field in Chicago on August 2.

Home to Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls and NWSL side Gotham FC, Sports Illustrated Stadium is the sixth-largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States, with its 360-degree cantilevered canopy creating an intimate atmosphere for supporters travelling from Yorkshire.

Here, Football Ground Guide covers everything Leeds fans need to know before heading to New Jersey.

Sports Illustrated Stadium: Key facts

The stadium sits on the Passaic River waterfront in Harrison, around seven miles west of Lower Manhattan and directly across the river from Newark.

The venue opened in 2010 as Red Bull Arena before being renamed Sports Illustrated Stadium in December 2024 as part of a new naming-rights agreement.

Sports Illustrated Stadium holds 25,000 spectators, making it the sixth-largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States, while its curved, partially transparent roof covers all seating areas.

Address: 600 Cape May Street, Harrison, NJ 07029.

What else is there to do around Newark and New Jersey?

Fans planning a longer trip around the fixture will find plenty to explore in the surrounding area.

Ironbound (Newark) – A short walk across the Jackson Street Bridge from the stadium, this historic neighbourhood is one of the United States' best Portuguese, Spanish and Brazilian dining districts, centred around Ferry Street.

Newark Riverfront Park – A stretch of green space along the Passaic River offering walking paths and views back towards the stadium, making it a popular spot for fans arriving early.

Prudential Center – Home to the NHL's New Jersey Devils, this Newark arena and its surrounding bars are a popular alternative pre-match base for supporters staying in the city centre.

American Dream – For those with time to spare, this vast entertainment and retail complex in East Rutherford, around a 20-minute drive away, includes an indoor ski slope, water park and aquarium.

Manhattan – With the PATH train running directly into the city, a day exploring New York itself is an easy addition either side of the match.

Where to eat and drink near Sports Illustrated Stadium

The Ironbound district, just across the river from the stadium, is the standout option for food and drink before or after the game, with Ferry Street lined with Portuguese, Spanish and Brazilian restaurants serving grilled seafood, churrasqueira-style meats and shareable tapas plates.

Closer to Newark Penn Station:

Bello's – This is a regular pre-match stop for Red Bulls supporters, offering more than 180 beers alongside bar pies and Cajun chicken nachos.

Blitz Sports Bar – A no-frills neighbourhood sports bar popular with visiting fans, known for a friendly welcome, pool table and reasonably priced drinks.

Near Prudential Center, a short distance further into downtown Newark:

Redd's Biergarten – A large beer garden and sports bar popular before events at the arena.

Three Levels Lounge & Sports Bar – Another established pre-match option close to the Prudential Center.

How to get to Sports Illustrated Stadium

PATH train (recommended)

The Harrison PATH station is around three blocks from the stadium, approximately a five-to-10-minute walk away.

Fans travelling from Manhattan can take the PATH directly to Harrison, while those arriving via NJ Transit rail should get off at Newark Penn Station and continue one stop on the PATH to Harrison, which takes only a couple of minutes.

NJ Transit rail

From New York Penn Station, take the Northeast Corridor Line or North Jersey Coast Line to Newark Penn Station, then change onto the PATH for the short journey to Harrison.

The Montclair-Boonton Line and Morris & Essex Line also run into Newark Broad Street station, which is a short distance from Newark Penn Station.

Bus

NJ Transit's 40 bus also stops close to the stadium.

Car and parking

The stadium is accessible from the NJ Turnpike and I-280. Public parking lots in Harrison are available within walking distance of the ground, generally priced between $15 (£11.13) and $30 (£22.26), and operate on a cashless basis. 

From the airports

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is around three and a half miles from the stadium. Supporters can take the AirTrain to Newark Penn Station before continuing on the PATH to Harrison, with the full journey taking roughly 25-30 minutes and representing the most reliable option.

LaGuardia and JFK airports are considerably further away, at around 15 and 20 miles respectively, and neither has a direct public transport link to the stadium, making rideshare the more practical option from either location.

Matchday entry, bag policy and tickets

Gates typically open 60 minutes before kick-off for general admission, and fans are encouraged to arrive early given the compact nature of the stadium and its car-free approach.

Sports Illustrated Stadium operates a mobile-only ticketing system, meaning supporters will need to download the Red Bull New York app in advance to access and manage their tickets rather than relying on a printed copy.

Bag rules are also fairly strict; under the standard policy, bags up to 14 x 14 x 6 inches are permitted, although an enhanced restriction is currently in place limiting fans to a single clear bag no larger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches, plus one small non-clear clutch.

Backpacks are not allowed regardless of size, although a small number of lockers are available to rent near Gate B1 for supporters arriving with bags that do not meet the requirements. Fans should check the stadium's latest guidance closer to the date of the Sunderland match, as restrictions can change between events.

The stadium is entirely cashless, with debit and credit cards, contactless payments and mobile payment options such as Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted at concessions. Supporters should therefore arrive prepared with a card or phone rather than cash.

Weather policy and possible delays

New Jersey summers can bring sudden thunderstorms, and Sports Illustrated Stadium follows Major League Soccer's standard weather protocol for events affected by lightning.

If a strike is detected within eight miles of the stadium, play is suspended and fans are asked to leave their seats for shelter, with a 30-minute countdown restarting after every subsequent strike recorded inside that radius.

Play can only resume once 30 minutes have passed without another lightning strike, followed by a short warm-up period for players.

Extreme heat, humidity or high winds can also lead to delays or, in rare cases, postponements, with the club communicating any changes directly to ticket holders.

Parking near the stadium

There is no dedicated shuttle service to Sports Illustrated Stadium, so supporters planning to drive should budget for public parking in Harrison, generally priced between $15 (£11.13) and $30 (£22.26), with prices tending to be higher for lots across the river in Newark.

Given the limited parking availability and lack of shuttle buses, using mass transit or carpooling is the club's recommended option for anyone travelling to the stadium.

Where to stay near Sports Illustrated Stadium

Hampton Inn & Suites Newark-Harrison Riverwalk — Located in Harrison at 100 Passaic Ave, approximately one mile from the stadium along the Passaic River waterfront, this is within easy walking distance of the venue. 

Downtown Newark — Offers a wider range of hotel options close to Newark Penn Station, with the PATH providing a quick connection to Harrison.

Manhattan or Jersey City — Ideal for supporters looking to combine the match with more time in New York City, with both locations offering straightforward access to the stadium via PATH or NJ Transit, although journey times will be longer than staying closer to Harrison or Newark.