Izod Center East Rutherford, NJ

The Izod Center was first opened in 1981 although they broke ground for it in 1977. It is owned and operated by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. The arena is home to the NBA New Jersey Nets since it opened in 1981. There is work on new developments close to the Izod Center that have people wondering about the fate of the center. Until any downsizing occurs however, the Izod Center has many events planned.

The arena is used primarily as a sports venue by the NBA, hockey teams and at one time the NCAA's Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball team. Other types of sporting events that have been at the Izod Center are soccer, roller hockey, arena football and lacrosse teams.

Bruce Springsteen has performed at the Izod Center as well as Queen, Freddie Mercury, Michael Jackson, the Dave Matthews Band and the Rolling Stones. The Red Hot Chili Peppers filmed a music video at the center and Madonna kicked off her 2008 North American leg of the Sticky & Sweet Tour. The Jonas Brothers also have performed in the Izod Center.

Commencement ceremonies are held at the Izod Center for Fairleigh Dickenson University, Montclair State University and Seton Hall University. Continental Airlines also operates a ticket counter at the Izod Center.

Some of the upcoming events at the Izod Center are family oriented such as The Wiggles, Sesame Street Live 1-2-3 Imagine and Disney Live. Concerts that are scheduled are Kings of Leon, U2 360 Tour, and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Sporting events include the Giants and the Red Bulls.

There is a box office at the Izod Center where tickets can be purchased or people can buy them through Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster Outlets where patrons can buy tickets are Scotti's Record Shops, HMV Record Stores, J&R Music World, Compact Disc World, Ritmo Latino, Coconuts Music & Movies, fye and the NBA Store. Tickets can be picked up at the Will Call window during regular hours during the week or up to the beginning of the event on event day. Guests must show a photo ID and the credit card used to purchase the tickets. Box Office hours are Monday through Saturday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. However, the times may vary on event days.

Parking is available and the lots open three to five hours before an event. The cost for parking is twelve dollars for a New Jersey Nets game, fifteen dollars for concerts, twelve dollars for family shows although prices can vary and twenty dollars for RV's, Charter Buses and Limos.

There are many hotels in the area surrounding the Izod Center. The ones in East Rutherford, New Jersey are the Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel and Conference Center, the Residence Inn East Rutherford Meadowlands, the Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel, Homestead Studio Suites and the Fairfield Inn. Quality Inn, Econo Lodge, Red Rood Inn, Homewood Suites by Hilton and a Plaza Motor Inn are within a three mile radius.