Some couples love fancy ballrooms. Others? They’d rather say "I do" where their favorite team plays or where they’ve logged miles together training for a marathon. If you and your partner are the kind of people who plan date nights around game schedules or consider your running shoes part of your personality, why not lean into that for your elopement? NYC is the ultimate playground for sports lovers, and we’ve got the best spots to prove it.

1. Yankee Stadium – For the Die-Hard Fans

If baseball is your thing, Yankee Stadium is an epic backdrop for wedding-day photos (or an entire elopement adventure). While the field itself isn’t a ceremony option, you can exchange vows nearby with the stadium in view, then celebrate with a game and some ballpark snacks. Also, we’ve popped up in the stands and performed short, sweet ceremonies before. We’re down if you are!

Perfect for: Yankees fans who want an iconic NYC sports vibe.

Cakewalk Tip: Macombs Dam Park next door gives you stadium views without the crowds. Bonus points if you work pinstripes into your wedding look.

2. Madison Square Garden – The Mecca of Sports

Basketball, hockey, concerts—MSG has hosted it all. While you can’t tie the knot inside (unless you’re down to go guerilla — we are!), you can craft an elopement that revolves around this legendary arena. Say your vows at a nearby park, take wedding portraits outside the Garden, and then cap off the day with courtside seats.

Perfect for: Knicks or Rangers fans who want a city-centric wedding day.

Cakewalk Tip: Catch a game in your wedding attire and see if you make it onto the Jumbotron.

3. Citi Field – Because Mets Fans Need Love Too

Maybe pinstripes aren’t your thing, but orange and blue are. Citi Field is a dream location for Mets fans looking for a Queens-based elopement. Take pre-ceremony photos outside the stadium, exchange vows in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, then celebrate with Shake Shack and a Mets win.

Perfect for: Mets fans who want to keep things local.

Cakewalk Tip: If you time it right, you can elope in the morning and hit an afternoon game in your wedding outfits.

4. Barclays Center – Brooklyn Energy at Its Best

Barclays Center is home to the Brooklyn Nets and a packed calendar of events. If Brooklyn is your borough, consider eloping somewhere close, like Brooklyn Bridge Park or Prospect Park, before heading to the arena for a game.

Perfect for: Basketball lovers who vibe with Brooklyn’s cool, laid-back style.

Cakewalk Tip: Pre-game at one of the killer bars or restaurants around Barclays, then roll into your wedding night with a Nets game.

5. The West Side Highway & Hudson River Park – For the Runners & Cyclists

If your love story involves long runs or city bike rides, why not elope with that energy in mind? The Hudson River Greenway is one of NYC’s most scenic spots, with perfect skyline and water views. It’s a dream location for a low-key, movement-filled elopement.

Perfect for: Runners, cyclists, and anyone who loves an outdoor adventure.

Cakewalk Tip: Sunset ceremonies here are straight-up magical, especially with a cool breeze off the Hudson.

6. Asphalt Green – The OG NYC Rec League Spot

If you met playing rec league soccer, dodgeball, or flag football, Asphalt Green on the Upper East Side is a solid full-circle moment. Whether you want a sporty elopement or just some fun action shots, this spot is a hidden gem.

Perfect for: Athletic couples who want to keep things playful.

Cakewalk Tip: Bring a mini ball or jersey for some fun wedding portraits.

7. The Brooklyn Bridge – Because NYC Marathons Are a Love Story Too

The Brooklyn Bridge isn’t just a stunning NYC icon—it’s also a must-run route for marathoners and a dream backdrop for an elopement. If you’re a couple who’s logged miles together, this spot is perfection.

Perfect for: NYC Marathon runners and anyone who wants an epic cityscape.

Cakewalk Tip: Sunrise ceremonies here = unbeatable lighting and way fewer tourists.

Making Your Sports-Themed Elopement Personal

If you can’t get married at your dream sports venue, you can still infuse your love of the game into the day:

Wear custom jerseys with your wedding date.
Use a vintage baseball, basketball, or other gear for your vow exchange.
Plan a post-ceremony celebration at a sports bar or a live game.
Incorporate your team’s colors into your outfits.

Final Thoughts

For sports lovers, NYC is a dream elopement playground. Whether you want the intensity of MSG, the nostalgia of Yankee Stadium, or the freedom of an open-air run along the Hudson, you can make your wedding day feel like a championship moment.

Want help pulling off a sports-inspired NYC elopement? Cakewalk’s got you. Let’s make it happen.

Best Places to Elope in NYC If You Love Sports