Ron VanDeVeen, after serving 10 years as MetLife Stadium President and CEO, will move into the newly created position of chief programming officer, effective Sept. 1. He hands the reins to chief operating officer and general counsel Mark Stefanacci, MetLife Stadium said in a recent statement.
MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Jets and New York Giants, recently hosted eight World Cup 2026 games, including the final. The East Rutherford, New Jersey venue sits in the heart of the Meadowlands and is the largest NFL stadium by fixed seating capacity at 82,500.
VanDeVeen’s Legacy As CEO
VanDeVeen was instrumental in securing the World Cup, according to the statement, an effort that spanned nearly the entire tenure of his presidency. World Cup 2026 games at MetLife Stadium recorded the highest total attendance of any World Cup venue, with 645,186 fans across the eight matches.
“Seeing it through to the July 19 Final is a fitting capstone for this chapter of his career,” the stadium said.
VanDeVeen led the charge to bring other major events to MetLife Stadium, including Super Bowl XLVIII, Copa América Centenario, WrestleMania 29 and 35, NHL Stadium Series, Supercross, and the Army-Navy Game. He brought headliners like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, The Rolling Stones, Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Chesney, and many others.
Record-breaking shows at MetLife Stadium include Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, which drew over 217,625 people across three nights. Ed Sheeran holds the record for the most attendees for a single-night concert: 89,106. On June 13, 2023, he used an in-the-round stage setup to go beyond the stadium’s seating capacity.
Career, Newly Created Chief Programming Officer
In his new role, VanDeVeen will continue to serve as the primary booking agent for MetLife Stadium, which annually hosts two NFL teams, global concert tours, international soccer events, family entertainment, college and high school football, and more on the world’s biggest stage set in the country’s largest designated market area (DMA). The New York City DMA includes the Meadowlands and surrounding regions. It leads the nation in television households, with over 7.8 million.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to lead MetLife Stadium over the past ten years,” said VanDeVeen. “I’m grateful to the Mara, Tisch, and Johnson families for the opportunity to be a part of their history. I have made countless memories, cultivated relationships that will last a lifetime, and witnessed some of the most incredible events in history.
“The greatest privilege, however, was that of collaborating with the best professionals in the business. The staff of MetLife Stadium is truly inimitable, and I’m especially proud to pass the baton to Mark Stefanacci, who has been a key member of my staff throughout my tenure. He will do an excellent job leading the team and the venue into the next chapter,” VanDeVeen said.
VanDeVeen began his career with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) as a Cleaning Supervisor, advancing through the organization with roles in Stadium Operations, Bookings, College Athletics, and Corporate Sales.
He spent 19 years at the NJSEA, ultimately serving as VP and General Manager for Giants Stadium and the IZOD Center.
He joined the New Meadowlands Stadium Company, LLC (MetLife Stadium) as the SVP of Events and Guest Experiences in 2009 and was named President and CEO in April 2016.
In 2025, VanDeVeen was inducted into the Innovation Institute for Fan Experience (IIFX) Hall of Fame, and the same year he was honored with the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce Legacy Award. This year, he was named a 2026 VenuesNow All-Star.
“Ron’s leadership and guidance have been central to MetLife Stadium’s success, helping make it a benchmark for excellence across sports, entertainment, and live events,” said John Mara, President and CEO of the New York Giants.
“We are grateful that he will continue to serve as Chief Programming Officer and help guide the stadium’s future. As we celebrate Ron’s outstanding career and contributions, we are also pleased to welcome Mark Stefanacci as President & CEO. Mark is a highly respected leader whose experience and commitment make him the right person to lead the organization into its next chapter,” Mara added.
Change of Leadership
“Ron has been the driving force behind MetLife Stadium’s rise as the world’s premier sports and entertainment destination, and his remarkable vision, dedication, and leadership have left an indelible mark. We are thrilled that he will remain closely involved and continue guiding us in this new capacity,” said Woody Johnson, Chairman and CEO of the New York Jets.
“At the same time, we are excited to elevate Mark Stefanacci to President and CEO. Mark has earned the deep trust and admiration of colleagues and partners alike, and we look forward to seeing him build on this foundation and carry MetLife Stadium to new heights,” Johnson added.
Mark Stefanacci has been an integral member of the MetLife Stadium team since 2012, most recently as Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel. He previously spent 14 years with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, where he oversaw all legal matters and agreements for Giants Stadium, the IZOD Center, and the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park Racetracks while serving as Chief Operating Officer and Legal Counsel. He was also instrumental in the negotiations and drafting of the Ground Lease for MetLife Stadium.
In his most recent role at MetLife Stadium, Stefanacci was responsible for major event agreements, stadium advertising and sponsorship agreements, collective bargaining agreements, stadium operations agreements, and all services agreements. In addition to the Legal Department, he oversaw Stadium and Site Operations, as well as Human Resources and Labor Relations. He was a member of the Working Group Executive Committee in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII where he chaired the Government Relations Committee and was instrumental in negotiations to bring the 2026 FIFA World CupTM to the stadium.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead MetLife Stadium into its next chapter and recognize that I am following a legend,” stated Stefanacci. “There is only one Ron VanDeVeen, fortunately, I will be able to continue to work with Ron along with the best staff in the stadium business, and I’m looking forward to a seamless transition. Thank you to the Johnson, Mara, and Tisch families for their support throughout the process.”
Stefanacci received a bachelor’s in arts from Providence College and a law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law.
Fast Facts About MetLife Stadium
Billboard’s Highest Grossing Stadium of the Year. MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands, East Rutherford, New Jersey, was named nine times for non-NFL events such as concerts, soccer matches, and other entertainment. It achieved the No. 1 worldwide ranking multiple times following its 2010 opening. It earned the top global spot in
📈2010
💰2012
💡2013
🎙️2014
🎧2015
🏆additional year-end titles
A Touch of Jersey Makes NY Giants, NY Jets Famously Unique
Two Teams and a Stadium. There are two pairs of NFL teams sharing one stadium, with the Giants and Jets being pioneers.
🏈The New York Jets and the New York Giants share MetLife Stadium, which sits in the heart of the New Jersey Meadowlands.
🏈Since 2020, the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers have shared SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, a suburb of LA.
The NY Jets started bunking with the Giants on Sept. 6, 1984 — the second time the two teams shared home base. The first was in the 1975 NFL season; the Jets, calling Shea Stadium home, rolled out the welcome mat for the Giants, who were having a stadium built for them in the New Jersey Meadowlands.
The 1970s Meadowlands was in the midst of a major transformation, turning piggeries and marshes into planned residential and industrial zones. The region was just growing legs in 1975, but was hardly a household word until Giants Stadium opened its doors and, a year later, the Meadowlands Racetrack.
It’s Almost New York (But It’s Not.) MetLife Stadium is one of two NFL stadiums where teams play home games outside the state they represent. It’s a situation that can be confusing to anyone who’s not a local. It’s especially confusing for international journalists or writers new to the U.S. and who think there is a naming and geographical convention behind all NFL stadiums.
World Cup 2026 attracted the attention of journalists from all corners of the globe, and many covering the games in the Meadowlands assumed they were in New York. It was a common error that worked itself out. It may seem petty to split hairs over names, but think about it: what if things were randomly named and there was no consensus or consistency? Naming conventions (and the Dewey Decimal System) organized the world and continue to help break down language barriers.
Aside from the New York Giants and New York Jets playing in the New Jersey Meadowlands, the Washington Commanders represent D.C. but play home games in Landover, Maryland, at Northwest Stadium (about 5 miles east of D.C.).
That situation is in the midst of changing, however, so it won’t be long before the Jets, Giants, NJ Meadowlands, NY mashup gains another “only.” (The Commanders are expected to have a new home in Washington, D.C., at the former Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium site.)
Jersey Tough. The first outdoor, cold-weather Super Bowl ever played was right at MetLife Stadium. Super Bowl XLVIII made history in 2014. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos 43-8, with a kickoff temperature of 49°F. The actual coldest outdoor Super Bowl in history remains Super Bowl VI in 1972 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, where the kickoff temperature was 39°F
