Polo Grounds
Home of baseball and football legends in Upper Manhattan.
The Polo Grounds was the name of three stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used mainly for professional baseball and American football from 1876 to 1963.
- Location
- Coogan's Hollow, Upper Manhattan
- Era
- 1960-1963 (Titans/Jets)
- Status
- Demolished / Replaced by Polo Grounds Towers
- Primary Sport
- American Football & Baseball
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The original Polo Grounds, opened in 1876 and demolished in 1889, was built for the sport of polo. The third Polo Grounds, built in 1890 and renovated after a fire in 1911, was in Coogan's Hollow and noted for its bathtub shape. The original Polo Grounds was home to the New York Metropolitans from 1880 to 1885 and the New York Giants from 1883 to 1888. The Giants played at the second Polo Grounds for part of 1889 and all of 1890, and at the third from 1891 to 1957. The Polo Grounds was also home to the New York Yankees from 1913 to 1922 and the New York Mets in 1962 and 1963. Each version of the ballpark held at least one World Series. The final version hosted the 1934 and 1942 All-Star Games. In American football, the third Polo Grounds was home to the New York Brickley Giants for one game in 1921 and the New York Giants from 1925 to 1955. The New York Titans/Jets of the American Football League played there from 1960 until 1963. Its final sporting event was a pro football game between the Jets and Buffalo Bills. Shea Stadium opened in 1964 and replaced the Polo Grounds as the home of the Mets and Jets. The Polo Grounds was demolished and a public housing complex, Polo Grounds Towers, was built on the site.
In Their Own Story
The Polo Grounds hosted a diverse array of sporting events beyond baseball and pro football, including soccer, boxing, and Gaelic football. In its final years as a stadium, it witnessed the transition of the Titans into the Jets, a change that occurred just before the team's departure. The site held deep historical roots, having originally opened in 1879 for polo before converting to baseball in 1880 under the New York Metropolitans. When the Titans played their home games between 1960 and 1963, they stood on grounds that had already hosted World Series action and All-Star Games, specifically the 1934 and 1942 contests at this final version. The stadium's demolition followed its last game, with the site eventually becoming a public housing complex known as Polo Grounds Towers, erasing the physical footprint of the venue that once defined Manhattan sports.
Reader's Guide
The original Polo Grounds stood at 110th Street between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue, directly across from the northeast corner of Central Park. The third Polo Grounds was in Coogan's Hollow. The site is now occupied by Polo Grounds Towers.
Did You Know?
- The original Polo Grounds was built for polo and opened in 1876.
- The third Polo Grounds was built in 1890 and renovated after a fire in 1911.
- The final sporting event at the Polo Grounds was a Jets vs. Bills football game.
- Each version of the Polo Grounds held at least one World Series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Polo Grounds in Jets history?
Polo Grounds was not a person but the historic Manhattan stadium that served as the New York Titans' home field during their inaugural seasons in the early 1960s. Located on the Upper West Side, it was the first venue where the franchise attempted to establish itself against established NFL rivals.
What role did Polo Grounds play for the team?
This venue provided the initial gridiron stage for the franchise before they eventually relocated to Yankee Stadium and later Shea Stadium. It hosted both American football and baseball, acting as a multi-sport hub while the Titans sought their footing in the league.
Why is Polo Grounds important to Jets culture?
It represents the humble Manhattan birthplace where the team first took flight before becoming the New York Jets we know today. Its legacy marks the very beginning of the franchise's journey, symbolizing the early struggles and hopes of the organization.
What happened to the Polo Grounds stadium?
The historic structure was eventually demolished after the team moved on, with its former site largely replaced by the expansion of Riverside Park. No physical remnants of the stadium remain today, leaving it as a significant chapter in New York sports history rather than a current landmark.
When did the Titans play at Polo Grounds?
The franchise played their home games at this location exclusively during the early 1960s under the name New York Titans. This era ended quickly as the team sought more suitable facilities, leading to their departure from Manhattan shortly after inception.
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