Shea Stadium opened on April 17, 1964 in Flushing Meadows, Queens as the New York Mets played the Pittsburgh Pirates before 48,736 fans. The $25.5 million stadium marked a new beginning for the young club that had played its first two years at the Polo Grounds. The stadium was originally to be called Flushing Meadow Park but was later named for the popular attorney, William A. Shea, who spearheaded the drive to bring National League baseball back to New York following the departure of the Dodgers and Giants in 1957.

The architectural firm of Praeger-Kavanagh-Waterbury designed the stadium to be the first all-purpose facility capable of hosting baseball and football games, seating 55,300 for baseball and 60,000 for the New York Jets football team.

With the Mets in a new ballpark adjacent to the World's Fair, Flushing became a mega attraction for tourists. Shea Stadium is located in the geographic and population center of New York City and since its opening has drawn over 73 million fans. Convenient access by train or car allows fans from all five boroughs to get to the ballpark easily.

Driving Directions to Shea Stadium:

Directions from Manhattan:
Take the Triborough Bridge to Grand Central Parkway to Northern Boulevard/Shea Stadium Exit
...OR Queens Midtown Tunnel to Long Island Expressway to either Van Wyck Expressway (N) or Grand Central Parkway (W) to Shea Stadium Exit

Directions from Brooklyn:
Take the Eastbound B.Q.E. to the Eastbound Grand Central Parkway to the Northern Boulevard/Shea Stadium Exit.
...OR Take the Eastbound Belt Parkway to the Northbound Van Wyck Expressway. Take the Northern Boulevard West Exit to Shea Stadium Exit

Directions from Long Island:
Take the Westbound Southern State Parkway to the Northbound Cross Island Parkway to Whitestone Expressway to the Northern Boulevard / Shea Stadium Exit
...OR Take Westbound Northern State Parkway/Grand Central Parkway to Shea Stadium Exit

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