Uptown Residents Can Score Free Tickets To Columbia Football Game

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS-INWOOD, NY — New York City isn't much of a college sports town, but this weekend resident of Washington Heights and Inwood are invited to catch a free game at Columbia University's uptown stadium.

Columbia is hosting its annual Northern Manhattan Neighbors Appreciation Day on Saturday, Oct. 6 for its showdown against regional rivals Marist College. Anybody who can prove they live in Washington Heights or Inwood can redeem their free tickets online by using a special promo code when buying tickets.

Tickets can be bought by going to Columbia University's athletics website or by calling 1-888-546-6711. The promo code for area residents is NM2018. Proof of address must be provided to get the free tickets.

The game will be played at the Baker Athletics Complex at West 218th Street near the northernmost tip of Inwood. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. The stadium has a capacity of about 17,000 seats.

The Columbia University Lions will carry a 2-1 record into Saturday's game. The school is 0-1 in the Ivy League after last week's 45-10 loss against Princeton.

Columbia University hosts an annual free game for Uptown residents due to a stipulation in a 2011 deal with the city to expand its massive uptown athletic complex. In 2011 the university and the New York City Planning Commission agreed that in order to construct a new boathouse and field, Columbia would have to make some concessions to the Inwood community, including the new field and a pledge to donate $300,000 — $100,000 annually for three years — to support Inwood parks.

The Ivy League institution began awarding grants in 2017 through the Inwood Parks Grant program.

Photo by Shutterstock