The complex currently consists of MetLife Stadium, which is home to the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League; the Meadowlands Racetrack, a famous harness racing circuit (which is home of the annual Hambletonian Stakes); and the Quest Diagnostics Training Center, which is the Giants' practice facility.

By year's end, Werblin had secured a deal for the New York Giants, who were then playing in Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, to move to the Meadowlands.

The New Jersey Turnpike, which had been suffering the burden of increased traffic volumes near its northern terminus in Ridgefield Park, built a new alignment, the "western spur", with an exit, interchange 16W, leading directly to the sports complex as well as to Route 3.

A new arena was to be built on the opposite side of Route 20 from the stadium and racetrack, connected by vehicle ramps and a pedestrian bridge.

Brendan Byrne Arena, named for the sitting governor, opened July 2, 1981, with the first of six sold-out shows by musician Bruce Springsteen.

A year later, the New Jersey Devils of the NHL and the Seton Hall University men's basketball team joined the Nets.

The Nets played their first game at the arena on October 30, 1981, and lost to their cross-river rivals, the New York Knicks by a score of 103–99.

The former arena box offices are used as a station for the NJSEA EMS and the former Winner's Club lounge restaurant is the quarters for the New Jersey State Police.

The NJSEA hires in-house security and emergency medical services staff to serve the venues at the Sports Complex, including MetLife Stadium.

Law enforcement is primarily provided by the New Jersey State Police Sports Complex Unit.

The Devils and the Seton Hall men's basketball team moved to the Prudential Center in Newark.

The Giants annually host Training Camp at the facility in the summers, including practices open to the public with fan activities and legend player meet-and-greet opportunities.

Parking for Training Camp is in Lot K. American Dream is a large mall and entertainment complex.

Formerly known as Xanadu, the project resides within the Meadowlands Sports Complex adjacent to the Izod Center that has over 450 stores.

[16][13][17] Other attractions include the Big SNOW American Dream indoor ski slope,[18] two miniature 18-hole golf courses,[13][19] a CMX Cine’Bistro dine-in luxury movie theater,[20] a family entertainment center,[13][21] a bowling alley,[22] a Legoland Discovery Center,[13][23] a Sea Life Aquarium,[13][23] an indoor rock climbing facility,[13] and a Mirror Maze attraction.

[24] On September 14, 2022, the Metropolitan Riveters of the Premier Hockey Federation became tenants of The Rink at the American Dream for at least the next three years.

Route 3 also connects to the Garden State Parkway further west, and the Lincoln Tunnel further east, while the Turnpike/I-95 give access to and from the George Washington Bridge northwards, and Newark Airport southwards.

A course at Flushing Meadows Park, in the New York City borough of Queens, was chosen, but the event was canceled before the first running.

[30] In July 1984, the CART IndyCar series held the first Meadowlands Grand Prix on a temporary circuit built in the Giants Stadium parking lot.

In the early 2000s, conceptual plans were drafted to build a NASCAR-style speedway at the Meadowlands Sports Complex as part of a revitalizing project.