The two clubs

  • NYCFC plays its home games at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, in the heart of the city and easy to reach by subway. It's the newer, city-branded club with a strongly international following.
  • New York Red Bulls play at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey — a purpose-built soccer stadium, widely praised for its steep stands and atmosphere, reachable by train from Manhattan. The Red Bulls are the older of the two clubs with a deep-rooted supporters' culture.

The derby is played at whichever club is hosting, so check which side has the home match during your dates — that determines the stadium and the dominant crowd.

How to get derby tickets

Derby matches draw bigger, louder crowds than a regular MLS game, so:

  • Buy earlier than for an ordinary fixture — demand is higher and supporters' sections fill fast.
  • Decide where you want to sit before you buy (see below) — the experience varies a lot by section on a rivalry night.
  • Check both schedules. Compare the NYCFC and Red Bulls pages to see which leg of the rivalry lands during your trip. Tickets are digital and shown on your phone at the gate.

The atmosphere

This is the closest thing to a European derby in New York. Expect:

  • Dueling supporters' sections — drums, flags, banners, and non-stop singing from both ends.
  • A genuine edge — the rivalry is real, the crowd is invested, and the energy carries the full 90 minutes.
  • A family-friendly core despite the intensity; you can pick a calmer seat away from the most fervent sections if you prefer.

Which side to pick

If you have no prior allegiance, choose by experience, not loyalty:

  • For convenience and a city-center night, go to an NYCFC home derby at Yankee Stadium — no river crossing, easy subway access.
  • For a purpose-built soccer atmosphere, a Red Bulls home derby at Red Bull Arena in Harrison is a short train ride and delivers a stadium designed for football, with famously steep, loud stands.

Either way, sit near (but not necessarily inside) a supporters' section for the full derby experience.

Plan your match

Find the right date on the NYCFC or Red Bulls pages, or compare the season on the MLS hub.