3. Downing Stadium, Randall’s Island

Photo from New York Department of Parks via Wikimedia Commons

Downing Stadium, formerly known as Triborough Stadium and Randall’s Stadium, was built on Randall’s Island in 1935-1936 by Robert Moses. On its opening night, it hosted the Men’s Olympic Trials. Downing Stadium hosted the New York Yankees football team in 1936 and 1937, and the Brooklyn Dodgers football team in 1966; the first televised football game was held at Downing Stadium. Moreover, the stadium was used for soccer events too, namely two international soccer matches, and Pele’s NASL debut against the Dallas Tornado was hosted there too.

Originally, the site was considered for a 48,000-seat soccer stadium, should the United States win the bid for the 2012 London Olympics. In spite of losing the Olympic bid, the stadium was demolished in 2002 and replaced with the new Icahn Stadium in 2004.