Giants vs. Commanders at MetLife Stadium, Nov. 12, 2026: Time, Transit and Bags
Giants vs. Commanders kicks off at 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at MetLife Stadium. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and parking lots at 3:15 p.m.
Giants vs. Commanders is on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The event starts at 8:15 p.m. and doors open at 6:15 p.m. Parking lots open at 3:15 p.m. If you arrive before then you will not be let into the Sports Complex, so plan your trip around that time.
Date, start time and door times
The official MetLife Stadium event page gives these times for Thursday, Nov. 12:
- Parking lots open: 3:15 p.m.
- Doors open: 6:15 p.m.
- Event starts: 8:15 p.m.
The event page also links to the stadium’s “Know Before You Go” information. Check it in the days before the game for any updates to these times.
Getting there by train from New York
NJ Transit runs the Meadowlands Rail Service for events with expected attendance above 50,000. The stadium does not say whether this game is one of them, so confirm that rail service is running for the game before you set out. When it runs, the trains stop right outside MetLife Stadium. Most of NJ Transit’s rail system connects at Secaucus Junction, where the trains to the stadium leave from. The ride from Secaucus Junction to the Sports Complex station takes about 10 minutes.
The stadium says rail service starts a few hours before kickoff and runs for a couple of hours after the game ends. It has not published exact train times or fares for this game, so check NJ Transit before you leave. Once you are inside, leave through the MetLife or Verizon gates to get to the train.
On some event days NJ Transit also runs buses between Secaucus Junction and the stadium. When it does, staff direct riders to the bus boarding areas. The stadium says the trip takes about as long by bus as by train. For subway status on the New York side, see live subway status.
Taking the 351 bus from Port Authority
Coach USA runs the 351 Meadowlands Express bus from the Port Authority to the MetLife Sports Complex for NFL games and other large events. Service starts 2 1/2 hours before the start of the game. Buses keep running until a half hour after the start and then for about an hour after the game ends.
Buses drop off and pick up in Lot K, near the Quest Diagnostics Performance Center. Leave through the MetLife Gate to get there. For schedules and details, visit 351express.com or call (800) 877-1888, Ext. 3. The stadium’s public transportation page has the transit map.
Parking and park and ride
The event page has a parking purchase link. Lots generally close two hours after an event ends. You will be sent to the lots closest to where you enter the Sports Complex, and you cannot drive between lots. Overnight parking is not allowed. NJ State Police may search vehicles, sometimes with a canine unit, and drivers who refuse are turned away. Parking illegally on nearby roads, medians or shoulders can get you a ticket or a tow.
To skip the traffic around the stadium, the Laz at Edison Park Fast lot at Frank R. Lautenberg Station at Secaucus Junction has 1,100 spaces. It is open 24 hours, off Exit 15X on the eastern extension of the New Jersey Turnpike, at 675 New Country Road in Secaucus. From there you take NJ Transit rail to the Sports Complex. The stadium recommends reserving a space and checking first that rail service is running for the event. Full details are on the general event parking page.
Rideshare, taxi and drop-off
Taxis and limousines drop off and pick up between parking lots D and E, where there is curb space along the road. Using that area is free. Rideshare drop-off is on the road between Lots D and E, and pickup is in Lot E. The stadium warns that surge pricing is common after events and that waits can run past two hours. It encourages fans to take public transit instead.
Bag policy and entry
MetLife Stadium follows the NFL clear bag policy. These bags are allowed:
- One clear bag per person, 12 by 6 by 12 inches or smaller
- One small non-clear clutch or purse per person, 4.5 by 6.5 inches or smaller
- A one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag
Non-clear bags larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches are not allowed. That includes backpacks, fanny packs, camera or binocular cases, diaper bags and briefcases. Seat cushions are also banned unless they are needed for medical reasons. Medically necessary items are allowed after an inspection at a gate set aside for this.
Everyone is searched before entry, so be ready to open your bag and move or take out what is inside. If your bag is too big, you can take it back to your car or check it at a Bag Check Facility outside each open gate. Bag check is free for NFL events. The official bag policy has the full list. Our MetLife Stadium guide covers entry, transit and parking for any event.
What to know before you go
This is a Thursday night game in mid-November, and the 8:15 p.m. start means a late trip home. Check the NYC weather forecast before you go. If you are taking the 351 bus, the last buses leave about an hour after the game ends. When the Meadowlands Rail Service runs for an event, it continues for a couple of hours after the game ends. Rideshare waits can be long after the game, so plan your ride home before you leave the city.
Sources
Checked on October 23, 2026. This guide is updated as the organizers, the city and the MTA publish new details.
Quick answers
What time does Giants vs. Commanders start at MetLife Stadium?
It starts at 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.
When do MetLife Stadium parking lots open for the game?
Parking lots open at 3:15 p.m. Drivers who arrive earlier will not be let into the Sports Complex.
How do I get to MetLife Stadium from Manhattan?
NJ Transit runs the Meadowlands Rail Service from Secaucus Junction for events with expected attendance above 50,000, and the ride takes about 10 minutes. Confirm that rail service is running for this game before you go. Coach USA's 351 Meadowlands Express bus also runs from the Port Authority for NFL games, starting 2 1/2 hours before the game.
What bags are allowed at MetLife Stadium?
One clear bag up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches, one small clutch up to 4.5 by 6.5 inches, and a one-gallon clear freezer bag. Backpacks and larger non-clear bags are not allowed.
Where is rideshare pickup at MetLife Stadium?
Rideshare drop-off is on the road between Lots D and E, and pickup is in Lot E. The stadium warns that waits after events can run past two hours.
