The History of the Red Sox vs Yankees Rivalry

The Red Sox and Yankees have played each other since 1901, but the rivalry became deeply personal in 1920 when the Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to New York for $100,000. Ruth went on to lead the Yankees to seven World Series titles, while Boston went 86 years without winning one — a drought fans called the Curse of the Bambino.

The rivalry reached its modern peak in the 2003 and 2004 American League Championship Series. In 2003, the Yankees came back to win in extra innings of Game 7, sending Boston home heartbroken yet again. Then in 2004, the Red Sox accomplished something no team in MLB history had done: they came back from a 3-0 series deficit to beat the Yankees in 7 games, then swept the World Series. That 2004 ALCS reversal remains one of the greatest comebacks in sports history.

Both teams have continued winning. The Yankees took the 2009 championship. The Red Sox won again in 2007, 2013, and 2018. Each of those runs added new chapters to the rivalry's story. Today the Red Sox-Yankees series remains the most-watched regular-season matchup in baseball, consistently drawing the highest television ratings and the fastest-selling tickets in either city.

Understanding this background transforms each game from just another contest into something with weight and meaning. Every home run at Fenway or Yankee Stadium echoes decades of history.

How to Watch Red Sox vs Yankees Games on TV and Online

You have several options for watching this rivalry, depending on where you live and what you already subscribe to:

• ESPN / ESPN2: Nationally televised games air here, most often on Sunday Night Baseball or prime-time weeknight slots. Available with any cable package or through live TV streaming services like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, or DirecTV Stream.
• NESN (New England Sports Network): The local broadcast home for Red Sox games. Available to cable subscribers in New England. If you live outside the region, a standalone NESN 360 subscription costs about $30 per month and streams all local Red Sox broadcasts.
• YES Network: The local broadcast home for Yankees games in the New York metro area. Available through most cable providers in the region.
• Apple TV+: Carries exclusive Friday night MLB games under a deal with the league. Some Red Sox-Yankees matchups fall on these Friday slots. Apple TV+ costs $9.99 per month.
• MLB.TV: The best option for out-of-market fans. At about $150 per year or $25 per month, MLB.TV streams every out-of-market game live. Note that local market blackouts still apply — if you live in Boston or New York, you cannot stream the local broadcast through MLB.TV even with a subscription.

For free options, Peacock occasionally carries MLB's Sunday Leadoff games at no extra charge to subscribers. Check the MLB schedule early in the week to see if a Red Sox-Yankees game lands on a nationally available stream.

The MLB app (iOS and Android) is free and gives you live scores, play-by-play push notifications, and short video highlights of every key at-bat within minutes of it happening — ideal for following along when you can't watch live.

How to Get Tickets to a Red Sox vs Yankees Game

Red Sox-Yankees tickets require advance planning. These are high-demand games that often sell out within days of going on sale. Here is the approach that works best:

1. Check the schedule early. The MLB full schedule is released each September for the following season. As soon as it drops, find the Red Sox-Yankees series dates for both Fenway and Yankee Stadium and mark them on your calendar.
2. Buy official tickets first. Go directly to mlb.com, the official Red Sox site (redsox.com), or the official Yankees site (yankees.com) on the day tickets go on sale. Official channels have no hidden resale fees, and the tickets are guaranteed legitimate.
3. Buy 2-4 weeks in advance. The further out you buy, the better the seat selection and often the lower the price. Last-minute tickets for sold-out games on resale markets can run two to three times face value.
4. Use StubHub or SeatGeek for resale. If official tickets are sold out, StubHub and SeatGeek are reliable resale markets, both offering buyer guarantees. Filter by section and compare prices across both platforms before buying.
5. Consider weeknight games. Monday-Thursday games at both parks are generally cheaper and less crowded than weekend games, while still delivering the full rivalry atmosphere.

Expect to pay roughly $50-80 for upper deck or bleacher seats, $100-200 for mid-level sections, and $250-500 for premium field-level or dugout-adjacent seats at either ballpark during a Red Sox-Yankees series.

What to Expect at Fenway Park

Fenway Park in Boston opened in 1912 and is the oldest active ballpark in Major League Baseball. Attending a game here is a genuine sports travel experience. Here is what to know before you go:

Getting There

The best way to reach Fenway is the MBTA Green Line (D branch) to Kenmore station, about a 5-minute walk from the park. Parking nearby costs $30-60 and post-game traffic is brutal. The T is the clear choice.

Where to Sit

• Green Monster Seats: The seats on top of the famous left field wall are a unique Fenway experience. You are looking down at the field at an angle, which is unusual but memorable. Great for the experience, though not the easiest view for following every play.
• Loge and Field Box: The best combination of view and atmosphere. Expect $150-250 per seat for a Red Sox-Yankees game.
• Right Field Roof Deck: Standing room area with a good view of the whole field. Less expensive and more relaxed.
• Bleachers: Cheapest option at $50-80, good crowd energy, but exposed to sun and rain.

Practical Tips

• Gates open 90 minutes before first pitch — arrive early to watch batting practice from the stands.
• Only clear bags are allowed inside Fenway. Leave backpacks at the hotel.
• Seats are narrow and rows are close together. Comfort expectations should be adjusted accordingly.
• The Fenway Frank (a steamed hot dog) is the ballpark classic. For something more substantial, the clam chowder and lobster rolls at the concession stands are genuinely good.

What to Expect at Yankee Stadium

Yankee Stadium opened in 2009 in the South Bronx and holds about 46,500 fans. It is a modern facility with strong connections to the franchise's history. Here is how to navigate it:

Getting There

Take the 4, B, or D subway train to 161st Street-Yankee Stadium. The ride from Midtown Manhattan takes about 20-25 minutes and costs $2.90. It is by far the easiest and cheapest way to get there. Driving and parking costs $30-50 in nearby garages, and post-game traffic can add an hour to your trip home.

Where to Sit

• Field Level: Best sightlines in the park, especially sections 111-127 behind home plate. These sell fast and start at $150 for rivalry games.
• Main Level: Good views at more accessible prices, typically $80-150 for Red Sox-Yankees matchups.
• Bleachers: Right field bleachers are known for their passionate, loud fanbase. Cheapest option at $50-80, but expect energetic crowd participation.

Practical Tips

• Monument Park (where retired numbers and plaques for Yankees legends are displayed) is open to fans starting three hours before first pitch. It is free to enter with a game ticket and worth the visit.
• The stadium is fully cashless. Bring a card or use the cash-to-card kiosks at the gates.
• Shake Shack, Lobel's steak sandwiches, and multiple craft beer options are highlights of the food and drink selection.
• Security screening lines get long before high-profile games. Arrive at least 30-45 minutes before gates open for a Red Sox series.

Key Players to Watch in the Red Sox vs Yankees Rivalry

The players who suit up for this series tend to rise to the occasion. Here are the names who define the current chapter of the rivalry:

New York Yankees

• Aaron Judge: The AL MVP and one of the most feared power hitters in baseball. Judge set the AL single-season home run record with 62 in 2022. He is known for raising his performance in rivalry games.
• Juan Soto: One of the best pure hitters in the game, known for elite plate discipline and the ability to work deep counts and tire out opposing pitchers. Soto joined New York in 2024 and quickly established himself as a fan favorite.
• Gerrit Cole: When healthy, Cole is one of the top starting pitchers in the American League with a high strikeout rate and ability to dominate lineups across full games.

Boston Red Sox

• Rafael Devers: The Red Sox franchise cornerstone and one of the best left-handed hitters in baseball. His power numbers against Yankees pitching at Yankee Stadium have made him a constant concern for New York's staff.
• Jarren Duran: An emerging outfielder who earned an All-Star selection in 2024 and plays with an energetic, athletic style that Red Sox fans have embraced as the face of the team's next era.
• Triston Casas: A power-hitting first baseman with a patient approach at the plate who figures to be a middle-of-the-order fixture in Boston for years to come.

Beyond individual names, rivalry games tend to bring out sharper pitching, better bullpen management, and tighter defensive play from both sides — the stakes elevate everyone's performance.

How to Follow the Rivalry Online and Stay Up to Date

You do not need a cable subscription or a ticket to stay engaged with the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry. Here are the best digital resources:

• MLB App (iOS and Android): Free to download. Provides live scores, play-by-play updates, highlight clips, and push notifications for each at-bat. Some video features require an MLB.TV subscription, but score and stats tracking are free.
• ESPN App: Real-time scores, injury news, trade updates, and analysis for both teams. The app is free and works well for following multiple games at once.
• Reddit Communities: The communities r/redsox and r/NYYankees on Reddit run game threads during every game where fans discuss each play in real time. These are excellent for live reactions and post-game breakdowns without needing social media accounts.
• Team Social Media: Both @RedSox and @Yankees post highlight clips on X, Instagram, and YouTube within minutes of big plays. Following both accounts means you will see the best moments of every game without watching the full broadcast.
• Baseball Reference: For historical stats, all-time head-to-head records, and any player's career numbers against the other team, baseball-reference.com is the definitive free resource. The site covers every game played between these franchises going back to 1901.
• FanGraphs: Offers advanced analytics including exit velocity, spin rate, and win probability for every game. Useful for understanding why certain pitching matchups favor one team over another and what the stats say about individual player trends.

For scheduling, the official MLB website publishes the full schedule with broadcast information. Bookmark the Red Sox and Yankees pages and check the schedule at the start of each week during the season so you always know when the next head-to-head series is.