New York, NY (November 13, 2019) – The popular Irish sport of hurling is coming to Citi Field for the “New York Hurling Classic,” a four-team, three-game tournament on Saturday, November 16. To accompany the hurling action, a lively Irish festival will take place leading up to the first game of the tournament, complete with Irish music, dancing and more.

The Irish Festival will take place from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and will be highlighted by unique performances at the Citi Field Fan Fest Area, including performances by the NYPD Pipes & Drums of the Emerald Society, a show by McManus Irish Dance & Jiggy Tots and a live concert by The Prodigals, an Irish punk band that has performed at Madison Square Garden.

Additional all-ages entertainment throughout the concourse will include: the Irish Arts Center, which will be teaching Irish language basics; the Shannon Gaels GAA, a New York City-based youth hurling organization; the New York Irish Center, an Irish community center in Long Island City; Send in the Clowns, which will provide face painting; and Irish Network NYC, a professional and social networking hub for the Irish community in New York City. There will also be an opportunity for fans to test their hurling skills hitting a sliotar with an Irish hurley with the winner receiving a pair of tickets to a 2020 New York Mets game.

Hurling, widely believed to be the world’s oldest field game, combines agility, strength and intensity, earning it the reputation as the “fastest game on grass” among its loyal and passionate followers. Limerick will defend the Players Champions Cup, having won the 2018 Fenway Hurling Classic, with Wexford, Tipperary and Kilkenny also competing. The New York Hurling Classic is being produced by Fenway Sports Management and Metropolitan Hospitality, in partnership with the Gaelic Players Association (GPA), the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and Aer Lingus.

Schedule of Performances

11:30 – 11:50 a.m.: McManus Irish Dance & Jiggy Tots at Citi Field Fan Fest Area

11:50 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: The Prodigals at Citi Field Fan Fest Area

The NYPD Pipes & Drums of the Emerald Society will be featured throughout the ballpark

Gates will open at 11:00 a.m. with the three-game tournament beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET. For more information about the New York Hurling Classic and to purchase tickets, please visit www.mets.com/hurling.

About Metropolitan Hospitality

Metropolitan Hospitality at Citi Field is the exclusive non-game day event business at Citi Field, keeping the non-traditional event venue buzzing with unique events.

Citi Field is a world-class event and hospitality destination that features superb cuisine, five-star service and elegant, state-of-the-art event space for every occasion. With more than 250,000 square feet of hospitality space, over 8,000 parking spaces and more than 18 different event spaces, Citi Field is the ideal destination for a variety of events. Metropolitan Hospitality has executed an extensive list of events, including concerts, festivals, runs/5Ks, College Lacrosse and Baseball, International Cricket and Soccer, pro-wrestling events, trade shows, film shoots, field events, corporate events/conferences, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and weddings. For further information visit Metropolitan Hospitality.

About the Gaelic Players Association (GPA)

The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) is a not‐for‐profit organization supporting Ireland’s elite amateur county Gaelic footballers and hurlers. With over 2000 current playing members and expanding alumni, the GPA supports its athletes through the provision of a comprehensive Personal Development Program. The aim of the program – which covers personal development coaching, education and training, career coaching, leadership development and health and wellbeing – is to make a meaningful difference to the lives of our athletes outside the sports, encourage their long-term personal development and ensure that they realise their potential. The GPA is dedicated to players throughout their lives and strives to ensure that our players achieve their personal best in all aspects of their lives.

About the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA)

The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) was founded in 1884, and is Ireland’s largest sporting organization. It is celebrated as one of the great amateur sporting associations in the world. It is part of the Irish consciousness and plays an influential role in Irish society that extends far beyond the basic aim of promoting Gaelic games.

About Fenway Sports Management (FSM)

Fenway Sports Management (FSM) is a global sports marketing firm that specializes in partnership sales, consulting and the creation of unique and memorable events and experiences.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Fenway Sports Group, FSM is a part of an elite family of properties that includes some of the most storied names and venues in all of sports including the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool Football Club, New England Sports Network and Roush Fenway Racing. For further information visit Fenway Sports Management.