Originally intended to be the 85,000-seat main stadium for New York's bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, it was designed to be downsized to 75,000 seats for the Jets.

However, it would have required significant public funding; progress on the project was halted in 2005 due to opposition from a number of sources, including Cablevision, who owned the nearby Madison Square Garden at the time.

[11] The Giants then entered into a joint venture with the Jets to build a new stadium in which the two New York teams would be equal partners.

The Giants favored a traditional look of exposed steel framework and rusticated stone while the Jets wanted a sleek and modern look highlighted by metal and glass.

[12] The base of the stadium's facade is clad in limestone-like stonework while the rest of the stadium is distinguished by an outer skin of aluminum louvers and glass and by interior lighting capable of switching colors, depending on which team is currently playing–blue for the Giants and green for the Jets.

Front row 50 yard line seats are 46 feet (14 m) away from the sideline, which is the shortest distance of all NFL stadiums.

To change the field decorations, two 4-person crews take approximately 18 hours using forklifts and other machinery to remove the 40 sections of Act Global UBU Speed Series which make up the teams' respective end zones.

[15] Replaceable team logos at midfield were removed in August 2010, after Domenik Hixon tore his anterior cruciate ligament at a practice at the stadium during training camp.

[16] However, in 2023, the Giants announced they would paint their team logo at midfield during their home games, with the Jets likewise doing the same approach.

[19] Thus, indoor events such as the Final Four cannot be held at the facility, which runs counter to the original aims for a new arena in northern New Jersey.

[20] Ten giant HD-ready light emitting diode (LED) pylons, located at the north, south, east, and west entrances, display videos of the team currently in-house.

[22] The seating bowl is also raked in a way that eliminates overhangs from the upper decks that would impede views and allows fans to see the full arc of a 90-foot (30 yd) punt.

In 2012, DLR Group partnered with NRG Energy to design and install a "Solar Ring" on the upper rim of MetLife Stadium.

The BIPV panels are illuminated with LED lighting and programmed to display the signature blue and green colors of the Giants and the Jets along with other hues for events such as concerts, soccer matches, and college sports.

The panels generate about 350 KW, nearly 25 times the amount of electricity that's actually needed to power the LED display system.

The two teams leased the parcel of land on which the stadium stands from the NJSEA for a 25-year term, with options to extend it which could eventually reach 97 years.

[27] Allianz, a financial services and insurance company based in Munich, Germany, expressed interest in purchasing naming rights to the stadium.

Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum, secretary general of the North American Board of Rabbis, noted however that while the survivors' sensibilities were understandable, a naming deal is legitimate, noting "I have found Allianz to be receptive, to be sensitive and a friend of the Jewish people today.

[30] On June 27, 2011, it was reported that New York City-based insurance company MetLife entered discussions to purchase naming rights to the stadium.

The goal of the agreement is to save the emission of nearly 1.68 million metric tons of carbon dioxide during the stadium's construction and its first year of operation.

Other goals of this agreement include providing mass transit options for fans and replacing traditional concession plates, cups and carries with compostable alternatives.

[39] New Jersey Transit provides the 353 Bus service for select events between MetLife Stadium and Secaucus Junction.

[66][67] On March 26, 2011, the stadium hosted an international friendly, between the United States and Argentina, which ended in a 1–1 draw and was played in front of a sellout crowd of 78,926.

Syracuse University has hosted selected home games at MetLife Stadium in lieu of the Carrier Dome.

On November 16, 2019, MetLife Stadium hosted the 61st Cortaca Jug rivalry game between the NCAA Division III Cortland Red Dragons and Ithaca Bombers.

Rangers forward Artemi Panarin was awarded the game-winning goal 10 seconds into overtime as the net came off its moorings by Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson.

Citi Field previously hosted the 2018 NHL Winter Classic as well, with the Rangers defeating the Buffalo Sabres 3–2 in overtime.

Since 2012, the stadium has been the main site of the two-day electronic music festival Electric Daisy Carnival's stop in the New York Metropolitan Area bringing electronic acts including Armin Van Buuren, Hardwell, Porter Robinson and Tiësto.

[164] On July 14 and 15, 2017, the stadium hosted the 18th International Indian Film Academy Awards, the Oscars of Bollywood, for the first time.

[165] On January 16, 2018, the stadium hosted the inaugural ball for newly elected New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.