Red Bull Arena (New Jersey)

This article is about the home of Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls. For other places with the same name, see Red Bull Arena (disambiguation).

Red Bull Arena
Former names	Red Bull Park (2006–08) prior to opening
Location	600 Cape May Street Harrison, NJ 07029
Broke ground	September 19, 2006
Opened	March 20, 2010
Owner	Red Bull GmbH
Operator	Red Bull GmbH
Surface	Grass
Construction cost	$180–$200 million USD (estimate)[1]
Architect	Rossetti Architects[2]
Structural engineer	Paulus, Sokolowski & Sartor, LLC.[2]
General Contractor	Hunter Roberts Construction Group[2]
Capacity	25,189[3]
Field dimensions	120 × 75 yards
Tenants
New York Red Bulls (MLS) (2010–Present) Big East Men's Soccer Tournament (2011)

Red Bull Arena is a soccer-specific stadium located in Harrison, New Jersey, at the waterfront across from Newark. It is the home of the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer and has 25,000 seats, all covered by a translucent roof that protects fans from the elements.^[4]

Initial planning

The construction project was beset with delays. The original plan, announced on July 1, 2004, was to move the MetroStars (as the New York Red Bulls was known at the time) from their home at Giants Stadium by the beginning of the 2006 season.^[5] Negotiations between MLS and the state of New Jersey dragged on until an agreement was announced on August 5, 2005, for the MetroStars to build and complete construction of a new dedicated soccer facility for the 2007 season. Concerns about environmental clean-up at the selected site forced another delay.^[6] Additionally, though the groundbreaking took place September 19, 2006 and construction was set for November 2007, that was delayed by one month when Red Bull bought out the MetroStars club from Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), changing the club's name in the process.^[7][8] After projections of opening during the 2008, and then the 2009 season, on January 23, 2009, it was announced that the arena opening would be delayed until 2010.^[9]

According to Erik Stover, Red Bulls' managing director at the time, Harrison Redevelopment Agency chairman Peter B. Higgins was "quite simply the reason that the New York Red Bulls have a new home in Harrison. His vision and leadership guided us through numerous difficulties." ^[10] The late Mr. Higgins' contribution is memorialized by the street naming as Pete Higgins Boulevard at the main gates along the west side of the stadium. ^[11]

Red Bull buyout and new design

Game against Santos FC

In addition to purchasing the team, Red Bull bought out AEG's $100 million share of the stadium, an after effect of lasting disagreements between the two corporations regarding their plans for the facility. Their differences prompted a significant delay in the early stages of the stadium's construction. After the naming rights of the soccer team were acquired, leading to the name Red Bull Park, Red Bull instituted a number of changes to the stadium's original design, which sparked tension between the Austrian-based energy drink company and AEG. Red Bull opted out of AEG's plan to construct a stage in the stadium for performances, one that would have increased profit margins for the group.^[12][13]

Construction of Red Bull Park began in late December 2007 with an undetermined 2009 completion date. The updated design was completed by Rossetti architects from Los Angeles and was built by New Jersey-based Hunter Roberts Construction Group, LLC. The new design featured a roof extending just past the field's touchlines with 60 feet (18 m) of the roof being translucent to allow for natural light. The first row of seating is approximately 21 feet (6.4 m) from the touchlines. The design is on par with those of soccer stadiums around the world.^[14][15] It looks similar to the Hypo-Arena in Klagenfurt, Austria in appearance.^[16] The stadium has 30 luxury suites and 1,000 premium seats.^[17]

Construction

Red Bull Arena under construction in Harrison, New Jersey on March 10, 2009.

Construction commenced on Red Bull Park on January 3, 2008, including the first of 3,000 timber piles driven into the ground to support the new stadium. On January 11, 2008, Erik Stover was announced as the new GM of Red Bull Arena during construction and then on after. He has served as GM of Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego since 2005.^[18] On February 20, 2008, a CAN$28–$30 million contract was announced with Structal-Heavy Steel Construction to assist in the fabrication and construction of steel components. Fabrication began offsite in the second quarter of 2008, and erection in Fall, 2008.^[19] Total project size is estimated at 9,000 tons of structural steel.^{[citation needed]}

The first steel girder was put in place on August 19, 2008.^[20] The arena was reported by the New York Times to be 55% complete on March 27, 2009.^[15] The last major beam for the roof was topped out on April 14, 2009.^[21] Enclosure panels started going up on May 7, 2009.^[22] The first section of the Red Bull Arena roof was completed in August 2009.^[23] The underground drainage and turf-heating system installation began on August 18, 2009.^[24]

A soft opening of the stadium, a match between the Red Bulls Under-18 Academy team and the United States U-17 men's national soccer team scheduled for March 13, 2010, was postponed due to heavy rain and high wind.^[25] The facility instead opened on March 20, 2010 as the Red Bulls played a friendly match against Brazilian club Santos FC, with the first official match, the MLS season opener against the Chicago Fire, took place March 27.^[26] Joel Lindpere became the first player to score a goal at Red Bull Arena.^[27]

In December of 2010 the stadium was named Project of the Year (Sports/Recreation) by Engineer News Record – New York.^[28]

Red Bull Arena internal view

Events

Dispatch playing in Red Bull Arena 6/18/2011

Red Bull Arena hosted its first-ever international soccer game in May 2010, when Turkey beat the Czech Republic in front of a crowd of 16,371.^[29] The stadium also hosted an exhibition between Ecuador and Colombia in October 2010. The game drew a sellout crowd of 25,000.^[30]

It also hosted the finals of the 2010 Churchill Cup in rugby union.^[31]

Red Bull Arena hosted its first-ever concert, with Dispatch on June 18, 2011.

In addition, Red Bull Arena hosted the MLS All-Star 2011 on July 27 versus Manchester United.^[32]

On October 8, 2011, Red Bull Arena hosted its first New Jersey high school soccer game when the Harrison Blue Tide hosted the Kearny Cardinals in both boys' and girls' soccer action. ^{[33] [34] [35]}

On October 11, 2011 Red Bull Arena hosted its first United States men's national soccer team match, as the US squad lost 1-0 to the Ecuador national football team in an international friendly.

On November 13, 2011, Red Bull Arena will host the semifinals and championship match of the 2011 Big East Conference Men's Soccer Tournament, a college soccer tournament.^[36]

References

1. ^ Giase, Frank (February 26, 2007). "Red Bulls: MacDonald strives to fulfill a town's tradition". The Star-Ledger (Newark). http://www.nj.com/redbulls/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1172468262176170.xml&coll=1. Retrieved 2011-10-18. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Wood, Debra (April 1, 2010). "Red Bulls Start the 2010 Season in a New Venue Built by Hunter Roberts". New York Construction (McGraw Hill). http://newyork.construction.com/features/2010/0401_NewHome-1.asp. Retrieved 2011-10-19. 
3. ^ "Red Bulls reveal updated design of Red Bull Park". MLSnet.com. November 29, 2007. http://web.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20071128&content_id=131231&vkey=pr_rbn&fext=.jsp&team=t107. Retrieved 2010-02-14. 
4. ^ "Picture-perfect opening for $200M Red Bull Arena in Harrison". Associated Press. March 20, 2010. http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2010/03/picture-perfect_opening_for_20.html. 
5. ^ Bell, Jack (July 1, 2004). "MetroStars' New Home Is Nearly a Reality". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/01/sports/soccer-metrostars-new-home-is-nearly-a-reality.html. Retrieved 2010-02-27. 
6. ^ "Stadium Delay; Red Bull Park Opening Pushed Back to Late Third Quarter in 2008, Could Open in 2009". BigAppleSoccer.com. May 21, 2007. http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/redbulls2.php?article_id=9829. Retrieved 2010-02-14. 
7. ^ "AEG Announces Red Bull Park Groundbreaking Plans" (Press release). New York Red Bulls. August 11, 2006. http://web.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060811&content_id=68844&vkey=pr_rbn&fext=.jsp&team=rbn. Retrieved 2010-02-27. 
8. ^ "The Stadium Details". BigAppleSoccer.com. September 13, 2006. http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/article.php?article_id=7105. Retrieved 2010-02-27. 
9. ^ Wentworth, Bridget (January 23, 2009). "Opening of Red Bulls' new stadium pushed back a year". The Star-Ledger (Newark). http://www.nj.com/sports/njsports/index.ssf/2009/01/opening_of_red_bulls_new_stadi.html. Retrieved 2009-05-27. 
10. ^ "From the Desk of Erik Stover". 2010-01-04. http://redbullsreader.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/from-the-desk-of-erik-stover-2/. Retrieved 2011-11-14. 
11. ^ http://www.redbullarena.us/arena/stadiumfacts.aspx
12. ^ "End of a Marriage; Red Bull Negotiating to Buy Out Red Bull Park from AEG". BigAppleSoccer.com. July 23, 2007. http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/article.php?article_id=10583. Retrieved 2010-02-14. 
13. ^ "N.Y. now full owners of new park". MLSnet.com. November 16, 2007. http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20071116&content_id=129632&vkey=news_rbn&fext=.jsp&team=t107. Retrieved 2010-02-14. 
14. ^ "Red Bulls reveal updated design of Red Bull Park". MLSnet.com. November 29, 2007. http://www.mlsnet.com//news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20071128&content_id=131231&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp. Retrieved 2010-02-14. 
15. ^ ^{a b} Bell, Jack (March 27, 2009). "With Red Bull Arena, [Building for Future and for Fans"]. The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/28/sports/soccer/28redbulls.html. Retrieved 2010-02-27. 
16. ^ "EURO 2008 news updates – Bangkok Post & AFP". http://www.bangkokpost.com/euro2008/venues_klagenfurt.html. Retrieved 2009-05-27. 
17. ^ "FACTS AND FIGURES". Redbull Arena.com. http://www.redbullarena.us/arena/stadiumfacts.aspx. Retrieved 2010-02-28. 
18. ^ "Park Boss; Stover to Be Red Bull Park GM". BigAppleSoccer.com. January 11, 2008. http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/article.php?article_id=12688/. Retrieved 2010-02-14. 
19. ^ "Structal Secures a CAN$30 M Contract for the Construction of Red Bull Park, the New Home of the New York Red Bulls" (Press release). Canam Group. February 20, 2008. http://www.canam.ws/www/v4/press.nsf/va_redir/comm08_02!open. Retrieved 2010-02-05. 
20. ^ Villanova, Patrick (August 20, 2008). "Red Bull Arena's 1st beam in place". The Jersey Journal (Jersey City). http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/harrison/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1219213557243510.xml&coll=3. Retrieved 2008-08-20. 
21. ^ "Red Bull Arena in Harrison 'topped off'". DailyHarrison. April 15, 2009. http://www.dailyharrison.com/red-bulls-news/75-red-bull-managing-director-resigns. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
22. ^ "First panel of Red Bull Arena roof installed". DailyHarrison. May 7, 2009. http://www.dailyharrison.com/red-bulls-news/76-red-bull-park-to-be-completed-in-09. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
23. ^ http://redbullsreader.wordpress.com/2009/08/05/first-section-of-red-bull-arena-roof-completed/
24. ^ "SubAir system installation begins at Red Bull Arena". MLSnet.com. August 18, 2009. http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20090818&content_id=6480718&vkey=pr_rbn&fext=.jsp&team=t107. Retrieved 2010-02-14. 
25. ^ "Heavy rains, wind postpone opening of $150M Red Bull Arena in Harrison". Associated Press. March 13, 2010. http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2010/03/heavy_rains_wind_postpone_open.html. 
26. ^ "Picture-perfect opening for $200M Red Bull Arena in Harrison". Associated Press. March 20, 2010. http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2010/03/heavy_rains_wind_postpone_open.html. 
27. ^ A Grand Opening Night
28. ^ Project of the Year
29. ^ Lewis, Michael (May 23, 2010). "Turkey tops Czech Republic at New York Red Bull Arena". Daily News (New York). http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2010/05/23/2010-05-23_turkey_tops_cr.html. Retrieved 2010-01-20. 
30. ^ "Colombia beats Ecuador 1–0 in friendly". USA Today. Associated Press. October 8, 2010. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-10-08-2831105149_x.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-20. 
31. ^ http://www.universalsports.com/news/article/newsid=478688.html
32. ^ Bondy, Filip (July 28, 2011). "Manchester United's 4-0 romp over MLS All-Stars more proof U.S. pro soccer not up to snuff". Daily News (New York). http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2011/07/28/2011-07-28_results_show_mls_lacks_solid_footing.html. Retrieved 2011-07-28. 
33. ^ "New York Red Bulls announce Harrison, Kearny soccer games on Oct. 8 at Red Bull Arena". The Jersey Journal (Jersey City). 2011-09-07. http://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/index.ssf/2011/09/new_york_red_bulls_announce_ha.html. Retrieved 2011-10-04. 
34. ^ "The boys soccer report: News and notes". The Record (Hackensack). 2011-10-05. http://www.northjersey.com/sports/The_boys_soccer_report_News_and_notes.html. Retrieved 2011-10-07. 
35. ^ "Harrison, Kearny boys soccer teams bring rich rivalry to Red Bull Arena". The Star Ledger (Newark). 2011-10-08. http://www.nj.com/hssports/blog/boyssoccer/index.ssf/2011/10/harrison-kearny_boys_soccer_rivalry_brings_a_rich_history_to_red_bull_arena.html. Retrieved 2011-10-10. 
36. ^ "Harrison's Red Bull Arena will host Big East men's soccer championship in November". NJ.com. August 18, 2011. http://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/index.ssf/2011/08/harrisons_red_bull_arena_will.html. Retrieved September 13, 2011. 

External links

• Red Bull Arena Official Website.
• Across the Hudson: Red Bull Park by Curbed.com
• Interactive guide NY Times

Coordinates: 40°44′13″N 74°09′01″W / 40.736851°N 74.150360°W / 40.736851; -74.150360