The iconic Chrysler Building in midtown Manhattan
SPORTING CITIES GUIDE...NEW YORK
Yeah, we know, the Bronx is up and the Battery’s down but New York City really is one hell of a sporting town...
From the staples of daily Gotham life such as the NBA’s Knicks and ice hockey’s Rangers at Madison Square Garden and up to the gazillionaire Yankees baseball dynasty in the Bronx and their arch rivals the Mets across the East River in Queens to the spectacular experiences of a big fight at the aforementioned Garden or the US Open tennis at Flushing Meadows, the Big Apple has it all.
Last year, New Yorkers also got to see Usain Bolt announce his greatness 10 weeks before the Beijing Olympics when he smashed the 100m world record on a stormy May night at the Reebok Grand Prix track meet at Randalls Island and 2009 promises just as much excitement as Tiger Woods returns to Bethpage Black on nearby Long Island for the US Open golf.
Throw in the NFL’s New York Giants and Jets during the winter months at Giants Stadium, a PGA Tour golf stop every August for The Barclays at Liberty National and, of course, the annual New York City Marathon every November and it is no wonder that New Yorkers are consumed by sporting endeavours.
GETTING THERE
AIR
With the new Open Skies agreement between the US and European Union, the options for crossing the Atlantic to New York are plentiful with flights available from every major European hub you can think of.
For the budget minded, there is also talk that Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary is planning on launching a budget transatlantic airline with $10 flights from London Stansted and Dublin to Boston and New York so we’ll keep you posted at NextBigSportsEvent.com on that story if and when it develops.
What won’t change is that JFK, in the borough of Queens, and Newark Liberty, across the Hudson River in New Jersey, are the major international airports for New York City.
Domestic and some flights from Canada also head into LaGuardia Airport, which may be a landing point for overseas visitors arriving via another US hub.
With so many airlines flying into JFK, your best starting point for flights may be a search engine such as Expedia, Travelocity or Priceline and then comparing their prices with the carrier’s own listings on their websites.
From the UK: Take your pick from American, United, Delta, BA, Virgin Atlantic and the budget airline Zoom, which flies out of Manchester and London Gatwick.
From Ireland: Aer Lingus, Continental and Delta are the main carriers out of Dublin and Shannon.
All the major European airlines - Air France, Alitalia, Iberia and Lufthansa to name but a few, operate flights to JFK and Newark from their home airports.
While for flights from Australia and the Middle and Far East, check out Qantas, Air New Zealand, Air India and Emirates.
Pitfalls – be prepared for lengthy waits at passport control when arriving at any American airports (unless you're arriving fromDublin and Shannon in Ireland, and Canadian airports, where the US Dept of Homeland Security has passport control before entry to the departure lounges).
Be sure on your inbound flight to fill out those green visa waiver forms for citizens from compliant countries or the white forms for visa holders as well as the blue customs form everyone has to fill out and do it well in advance of the passport hall.
And don’t forget to fill out that new online form as international visitors to the US from Visa Waiver Program countries are now required to apply for travel authorisation online at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/ by using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. The good news is that once you’ve applied, you won’t have to do it again for two years.
GETTING TO/FROM MANHATTAN
Just like getting to New York, the options for getting to your hotel from the airport are plentiful.
Whether it is from JFK, 15 miles from Midtown Manhattan, or Newark, how much money you are prepared to spend will determine your mode of transport.
A black Lincoln Town Car would be the NextBigSportsEvent way to travel but it is costly.
The ordinary Yellow Cabs charge a $45 flat fare (plus tolls) to any Manhattan location from JFK. These taxis are available outside each terminal and there is typically a taxi stand where you will be directed to a taxi. There is no extra charge for luggage nor per passenger. The way back to JFK, though, is on the meter plus tolls.
A bus to Midtown Manhattan and the main hotel districts can be taken from both JFK and Newark Liberty.
Olympia Trails (http://www.coachusa.com/olympia/ss.newarkairport.asp) operates the Newark Liberty Airport Express service with buses between the airport & Midtown Manhattan every 15 to 30 minutes, 365 days a year. Fares are $15 one way, $25 for a round trip with the journey time usually at least 40 minutes.
Going from west to east, there are stops in Manhattan at Port Authority Bus Terminal, which is on 42nd St between 8th and 9th Avenues, at Bryant Park on the corner of 42nd St and 5th Avenue and finally at Grand Central Station (41st St between Park and Lexington Avenues).
From JFK take the New York Airport Service Express Bus http://www.nyairportservice.com/ departing between 6:30am and 11:10pm, every 15-30 minutes. Fare for the one-hour trip is $13 to Grand Central, Port Authority or Penn Station on 33rd St and 7th Avenue. For an extra $2, the service will drop you at your midtown hotel (between 31st Street and 60th Street).
The train is quick, clean and cheap but remember that you’ll have to lug your luggage about. From JFK, get the 24-hour Airtain (http://www.panynj.gov/Airtrain/) to Jamaica for $5 then the Long Island RailRoad (LIRR) train to the Manhattan terminal, Penn Station, for $7.25 peak (between 7-10am) $5.25 off peak.
Alternatively, you could get the E train Subway from Jamaica (downstairs from the Airtrain) for $2 into Manhattan.
There is also an Airtrain from Newark Liberty’s (http://www.panynj.gov/airtrainnewark/) three terminals to the Newark Liberty International Airport Station where you can buy a ticket for a NJ TRANSIT or Amtrak train that stops at the station en route to Manhattan’s Penn Station, total cost $5.50.
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Once in Manhattan, walking is the best way to see the metropolis in its splendour; it’s sights, its sounds, even its smells from the myriad eating establishments on every street. Nevertheless, the underground subway system is just fine for getting around, particularly from one end of the island to the other.
It’s $2 for a single ride but you can buy multi-trip tickets which work out slightly cheaper A one-day unlimited ride pass costs $7.50, a 7-day unlimited pass $25.
WHERE TO STAY
Good question and an impossible one to answer here. Manhattan has more than its fair share of the good, bad and downright disgusting when it comes to accommodations across all the price ranges.
All we can suggest is that you find a place to suit your pocket and then check it out thoroughly by reading the reviews of former residents on websites such as TripAdvisor.com.
And if you have a review of your own based on past experience, please share it with us here at NextBigSportsEvent.com
Our own Jonny Lewis can kick things off with his verdict on his recent stays.
Affinia Manhattan
371 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001
Tel: +12125631800
www.apartments2book.com
This one is directly opposite Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, a block from Macys and a short walk from Times Square. There too many subway lines to mention in close proximity taking you all over the city.
Jonny says it’s a tricky website to navigate, and to call them direct. 
Madison Square Garden, the mecca of boxing
Then there is:
The Pod
230 E 51st Street (between 2nd & 3rd Ave), New York, NY 10022
Tel: +12123550300
www.thepodhotel.com
Jonny wrote: “Highly recommend it for cheapish, nothing fancy, but clean and simple, and a little bit trendy. Choice of room types. Good breakfast, good location, walk up or downtown easy enough. Get to the subway easily as well.”
And this from Niamh McC in Dublin:
Doubletree Guest Suites Times Square
1568 Broadway,New York, New York, United States10036-8201
Tel:1-212-719-1600
Niamh said: “this is really handy cos they're central (obviously), but they have a fridge, microwave, kettle and toaster too so you don't have to leave the place every time you want a cup of coffee.
“Most of their rooms have two doubles and another sofa bed in the living room that converts into another bed - so it's ideal for three or more people. They're reasonable too - think we were paying about $240 a night, although that is a rate that's non-refundable.”
Feel free to agree, disagree, or add your own review of somewhere else.
Coming soon....
You will be able to click on the links below for more specific advice on what to see and where to go for the following, upcoming Next Big Sports Events in New York City.
Central Park awaits the runners at the NYC MarathonAthletics: Reebok Grand Prix
Golf: The US Open
Tennis: US Open
Running: The 40th New York City Marathon
American Football: The Giants and the Jets
Baseball: The Yankees
Baseball: The Mets
Basketball: The Knicks
Horse Racing: The Belmont Stakes
Ice Hockey: The Rangers