Fans can return to Giants training camp this season
New York Giants fans cheer in the stands during Giants Training Camp and Fan Fest at MetLife Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The last time Giants fans were able to watch training camp practices in person on a somewhat regular basis, Eli Manning was the starting quarterback.
That was in the summer of 2019. The two annual camps since then have been held without public spectators due to restrictions from the pandemic. This year, though, those protocols have been lifted, the bleachers surrounding the practice fields are back in place, and training camp is once again an opportunity for fans to get an up-close and somewhat relaxed look at the team as it prepares for the upcoming season.
The players reported to camp on Tuesday. The fans will report on Wednesday, the first of 11 dates that will see some 3,500 or so people able to attend the late morning workouts in East Rutherford, New Jersey, over the next few weeks. The Giants have been brainstorming ways to make these events as “intimate” and enjoyable – and as beneficial to the team – as possible.
“If you create the right environment then you create the right energy, and everybody agreed that would be important,” Giants chief commercial officer Pete Guelli told Newsday. “We want the team close to the fans and the football side wants as much juice at practice as they can possibly get.”
Tickets are required to attend the practices and while most have already been distributed, the team will make some available through the summer. There also are secondary avenues to secure the passes.
Besides the 11 practices, the Giants also will host their second Fan Fest at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 5, which will feature a Blue-White scrimmage and fireworks show.
Because of the two years without fans, many of the Giants players have never practiced in front of live crowds in their careers.
“It’s a young team,” Guelli said. “A lot of them have never experienced anything like this before. I know they’re excited to be back in front of the fans again and the practices will be a little more spirited because of that.”
Giants' open practice schedule
Times are subject to change. In the event of inclement weather practice will be moved indoors and there will be no public viewing. For up-to-date information on training camp, visit giants.com, follow @Giants on Twitter or call 201-935-8111 ext. 1070.
Wednesday, July 27: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, July 28: 10 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Friday, July 29: 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Saturday, July 30: 10 a.m. 12 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 1: 10 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 2: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 3: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 5: 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Giants Fan Fest at MetLife Stadium)
Sunday, Aug. 7: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 8: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 9: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 14: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
