A memorabilia shop, new tech, food and killer concerts are coming to Citi Field

Rebecca King, NorthJersey.com
·4 min read

Mets fans will find new experiences at the entry gate, at the food and merchandise vendors and on the TV displays when they attend games at Citi Field this season.

One of the biggest changes is updated technology, including facial recognition, new LED ribbon boards and a new TV system with new slow-motion replays. There is also now a sports-betting lounge.

Here's what to expect at Citi Field:

Entrances

The Jackie Robinson Rotunda is shown at Citi Field. Thursday, March 31, 2022
The Jackie Robinson Rotunda is shown at Citi Field. Thursday, March 31, 2022

A system has been installed where ticketholders can simply show their face to a camera, which will recognize them and allow them entrance without any physical ticket. Citi Field visitors will have to register on an app ahead of time to use it but can breeze through express lanes at the entrance on game day.

Citi Field partnered with software company Wicket to introduce this technology to the stadium. Oscar Fernandez, vice president of Technology Solutions at Citi Field, said during a press conference that the system will streamline and hasten ticket check-in lines.

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Displays

Citi Field has some new features for the 2022 season. Thursday, March 31, 2022
Citi Field has some new features for the 2022 season. Thursday, March 31, 2022

Samsung has outfitted the field with new LED ribbon boards on five levels of the stadium. The more than 1,300 LCD screens will scroll with displays and images during games.

Big screens

Citi Field will have four new screens above right field, including this one, for the 2022 season.Thursday, March 31, 2022
Citi Field will have four new screens above right field, including this one, for the 2022 season.Thursday, March 31, 2022

A new IPTV system was also installed, which will give fans close-up looks at the game from multiple angles, broadcasted on huge high-definition screens. The stadium has doubled the number of slow-motion replay systems, introduced 300 Samsung LCD screens around the ballpark, and tripled the number of cameras that capture the action.

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Betting lounge

As sports betting is now allowed in New York, the Mets have also partnered with Caesars Sportsbook. A lounge specifically for sports betting will open at the Metro Grille in Citi Field.

Dining options

Buffalo mac is available through Murray's Cheese, at Citi Field. Thursday, March 31, 2022
Buffalo mac is available through Murray's Cheese, at Citi Field. Thursday, March 31, 2022

New food vendors have also been added to the park. They include outlets for Brooklyn barbecue joint Pig Beach and Manhattan's Jacob's Pickles and Murray's Mac & Cheese.

Exclusive new offerings include Metropolitan Fry Factory, which offers loaded fries, and Amazin' Chicken Co., where fans can feast on nuggets and tenders.

Sushi is among the food options at Citi Field. Thursday, March 31, 2022
Sushi is among the food options at Citi Field. Thursday, March 31, 2022

The culinary team is headed by chef Jason Eksterowicz, a Culinary Institute of America grad.

Here's what else you can expect at Citi Field in during the spring and summer:

Concerts and events

In between games, Citi Field is often used as an events venue. In April, the stadium will host several New York City Football Club games. The team is the reigning Major League Soccer champion. Here are a few other events coming this spring and summer.

  • May 21: The Night Nation, a combo 5K and concert​​​​​

  • June 10 to 12: Concerts Governor's Ball Music Festival, featuring Halsey, Kid Cudi and J. Cole

  • June 24: Mötley Crüe & Def Leppard with Poison and Joan Jett & the Black Hearts

  • July 30: The Color RunAug. 18: Zac Brown Band

  • Nov. 19: Spartan Race

  • Winter 2022: Amaze Light Festival, a holiday walk-through event

New merch

The Francisco Lindor bobblehead will be given away during a game at Citi Field this spring. Thursday, March 31, 2022
The Francisco Lindor bobblehead will be given away during a game at Citi Field this spring. Thursday, March 31, 2022

Several collectors items will be launched during the spring season.

  • April 15: On opening day, the stadium will unveil a new Tom Seaver statue and celebrate the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the MLB's color barrier.

  • April 16: The first 25,000 fans in the stadium will receive a Tom Seaver statue replica.

  • April 30: The first 25,000 fans will get a Francisco Lindor bobblehead.

  • May 14: The first 25,000 fans will get a Pete Alonso bobblehead complete with a polar bear head cap for the bobblehead.

  • May 15: The first 15,000 fans will get sidewalk chalk shaped like Mr. and. Mrs. Mets.

  • May 28: A fireworks show will take place at the field.

  • July 9: A Keith Hernandez bobblehead will be released to fans. This bobblehead will connect to two others to create one large scene with Ron Darling (bobblehead released on Aug. 13) and Gary Cohen (released on Sept. 17).

Memorabilia

Black Mets jerseys are back in the merch store this year. A new store called Amazin' Memorabilia has opened in the stadium that sells autographed and game-used collectibles. Later in the season, a shop specifically for women's merchandise will also open.

Head to the Mets Hall of Fame & Museum to see a new exhibit honoring artifacts from the Mets' first 60 years. The display includes Gil Hodges' jersey from the Mets' first season and the pitching rubber used by Johan Santana during his 2012 no-hitter game.

Rebecca King is a food writer for NorthJersey.com. For more on where to dine and drink, please subscribe today and sign up for our North Jersey Eats newsletter.

Email: kingr@northjersey.com

Twitter: @rebeccakingnj

Instagram: @northjerseyeats

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Citi Field stadium: Big changes are coming. Here's what to expect