The Eras Tour is finally coming to MetLife Stadium this Memorial Day weekend.
Tens of thousands of Taylor Swift fans are expected to descend on the New York City area. Given that the East Rutherford stadium can hold 82,000 people, and there are three shows scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
That's upwards of a quarter-million fans flocking to the region.
Whether you fought “The Great War” with Ticketmaster and were one of "The Lucky One[s]" to snag a ticket, or if you’re still holding out hope of getting to see the show – here’s everything you’ll need to know.
"The Very First Night"
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Taylor and opening acts Phoebe Bridgers (Friday-Sunday), GAYLE (Friday), Gracie Abrams (Saturday) and OWENN (Sunday) play the 82,500-seat MetLife Stadium Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Friday, May 26, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.: Taylor Swift with Phoebe Bridgers and GAYLE
Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.: Taylor Swift with Phoebe Bridgers and Gracie Abrams
Sunday, May 28, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.: Taylor Swift with Phoebe Bridgers and OWENN
Getting Into the Show: It's a "One-Way" Ticket
MetLife Stadium says tickets are valid for one scan only; there is no re-entry. If you're saying to yourself, "how'd we end up on the floor anyway?" Fans with floor tickets (Sections 1-15) can use any gate for entry and head to HCL Tech Plaza for floor entry.
Be sure to "Pick Up the Phone" because MetLife gate attendants will be looking for the Ticketmaster App. Have your mobile ticket downloaded, out and ready before getting into the security line.
The stadium said it will "strongly encourage" those without tickets to not come to MetLife during days of the show.
How to Get There: Will You Need a "Getaway Car"?
New Jersey Transit is urging Swifties to purchase round-trip train tickets in advance, ideally on the NJ Transit app. However, NJ Transit says they will not cap the number of tickets sold.
According to their website, fans traveling on NJ Transit trains to MetLife Stadium should purchase their roundtrip tickets from their originating station to Meadowlands Station to avoid boarding delays. Tickets purchased on the train will include a $5 surcharge for each ticket.
MetLife Stadium says NJ Transit service will operate from Secaucus to MetLife Stadium starting at 4:07 p.m. on Friday and 4:17 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Coach USA Bus, the 351 Meadowlands Express, will operate from Port Authority in NYC to MetLife Stadium starting at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Return service to Port Authority runs for 60 minutes after the concert ends. Tickets are available here.
If You're Driving, Will You Need to Park "Behind the Mall"?
MetLife Stadium says you must have a ticket corresponding to that evening's show for access to all parking lots. Lots open at 12:30 p.m. the day of each show. It's $40 per car, $100 per limousine and $160 per bus.
Credit cards and cash are accepted. Reminder: the rest of the stadium is cashless. Only credit and debit are accepted.
If we've learned anything from TikTok, there will be traffic, so plan accordingly. Prepaid parking is not available. No pictures to burn here, take a picture of your spot so you can find your car after the show.
Drinking Beer Out of Plastic Cups? Yes, You Can Tailgate (or Taylor-gate)
That will come as a relief to many. However, MetLife Stadium says no additional parking spots may be used.
Taylor Will Never Go Out of "Style," But What Bags Are Allowed at the Shows?
MetLife Stadium's policy states that bags must be clear (a.k.a. see-through): 12” x 6” x 12” or less in size, and 1 bag per person. Small purses (clutch-type bags about the size of your hand) 4.5” x 6.5” or less in size (1 per person) are also allowed, and do not need to be clear.
No camera or binocular cases, backpacks, fanny packs, diaper bags, and briefcases/computer bags are allowed either.
For more information on what bags are allowed, click here.
Additionally, food or snacks in a clear plastic bag, factory-sealed, plastic bottles of water or soft drinks 20 oz. or less, empty reusable water bottles (plastic and aluminum) and small handheld portable phone chargers are allowed.
Put simply, if you're bringing a drink inside, it must still be factory-sealed. Otherwise, a reusable water bottle can be brought in, but it must be empty upon entry. There are water fountains located inside the stadium where the bottles can be filled.
As far as other common items not allowed, be glad the weather looks good for the weekend, because umbrellas are not allowed. Also, the MetLife Stadium site lists banners or signs as forbidden as well.
For a full list of what is and is not allowed, click here.
You May Be Spinning Like a Girl in a Brand New Dress, But What About Merch Stands and Trailers?
Taylor Nation, Taylor Swift's official fan group, says ticketed fans can shop merch and the newly announced special edition CDs (more on that in a second) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting at 12:30 p.m. The merch truck is located in Lot E. Merch is also available starting at 4:30 p.m. at MetLife gates and the Team Store.
Again, as we've seen from TikTok, be prepared for long lines, however, it's a great chance to make friendship bracelets.
As for that new CD, Swift said in a tweet Wednesday there will be a new special edition CD will only be available on-site in East Rutherford. The CD sold at MetLife will have a "never before heard Midnights vault track called 'You’re Losing Me.'"
The new Midnights (Til Dawn Edition) deluxe album will feature Ice Spice o the song "Karma" as well as newly recorded vocals from Lana Del Rey on "Snow on the Beach."
Speaking of...Make the Friendship Bracelets, Take the Moment and Taste it:
Swifties from Glendale to Boston have been making friendship bracelets to trade at the shows. Think favorite song lyrics, Taylor Swift quotes, special dates...get creative.
If You're Hoping to Keep Your Hearing Stay "Safe & Sound":
Swift fans who have attended previous shows have recommended concert-friendly earplugs. There are several options available online for under $20. The earplugs promise not to block all the noise or music, but to make the volume safer.
Standing in a Nice Dress, Staring at the Sunset — How's the Weather Looking?
Our resident Swifties from Storm Team 4 say the chance for "Midnight Rain" will stay south of the tri-state. But hey, maybe an old "Cardigan" couldn't hurt for after the sun goes down.
If You're Thinking About a Dive Bar on the East Side...
Some of Taylor's favorite spots in the city and businesses around MetLife Stadium say they're ready for Swifties. In fact, many are all too happy to get a potential boon for business during what typically is a down holiday weekend. Some restaurants are even offering shuttles to the stadium, which would save you money on parking.
She Wears Short Skirts, I Wear T-Shirts — But What Outfits Are Swifties Looking to Wear to the Show?
The outfit is a key element of the Taylor Swift concert experience (after all, she's going to have more than a dozen outfit changes herself throughout each show), so it's important to do your research into what everyone is thinking of wearing.
According to Pinterest data, "Speak Now" is the most popular era for outfit inspiration searches, followed by "Lover" and "Folklore." So use that to help you form your ideas.
Keep a Wide-Eyed Gaze Around the Tri-State This Week:
Everyone from the Museum of Arts and Design to the NYC Ferry is saying, "Welcome to New York."
All I Do Is Try, Try, Try...for Tickets:
The Eras tour is one of the largest and most sought-after concert tours in history — ticket sales in the first place caused a minor meltdown at Ticketmaster.
If you can feel your heartbeat on the High Line and are still trying to get tickets, be prepared to pay up. StubHub, Vivid Seats, TickPick and GameTime are just some of the secondary market sites that are offering seats, but they'll cost a pretty penny.
As of Wednesday morning, the cheapest ticket listed on StubHub for any of the Friday, Saturday or Sunday shows was for more than $1,400. The most expensive tickets were listed for more than $21,000.
If you've been scouring TikTok looking for tips and tricks, there are some people who have had luck with Ticketmaster the day of the show, even right after the shows have started. If you wake in the night, pacing like a ghost because of ticket troubles, be careful where you buy. Scammers are using different ways to dupe Swifties into sending money online for a ticket that doesn’t exist.
For more on scams, click here.
This May Be "The Last Time" You Get a Chance for Tickets...
The American Dream Mall, located right next to MetLife Stadium, will be hosting events each day before the concerts from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., and that includes a shot at a pair of tickets to the show that night.
In addition to a live DJ playing all of Taylor's hits, Swifties will get a chance to sing karaoke, shop, grab a bite or a drink, and enjoy photo ops at the Tour Next Door event.
Those looking for a ticket can enter for a chance to win every day beginning Friday and ending Sunday, with the sweepstakes opening from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Winners will be announced live onsite at 5 p.m. — but an important note: Winners will need to be onsite as well to collect tickets.
Those hoping to snag the free tickets can enter at AmericanDream.com.
