Lucky Mets fan can celebrate ‘Bobby Bonilla Day’ with overnight stay at Citi Field

Airbnb is opening up a room in Citi Field for one night only on July 8, 2021. No word on whether or not Mr. and Mrs. Met will tuck the guest in at night.  Photo courtesy of the New York Mets

By Jacob Kaye

In celebration of every New York Mets fan's favorite holiday, Airbnb and the Queens ballclub are renting out a room inside Citi Field to a fan with quick hands.

On July 8 at 12 p.m., fans can request to book a one night stay at the stadium later in the month, getting access to two games, a VIP suite, the team’s gym, unlimited hot dogs and a room for four overlooking the main entrance of the ballpark.

The stay, which costs $250, will go to the first fan who requests it. Alongside three people of their choosing, they’ll take in a night game against the Atlanta Braves on July 28 and then a day game the following day.

The guest will also toss out the opening pitch during Wednesday’s night game.

The “host” of the Airbnb will be Bobby Bonilla, the former Met who gets paid $1.19 million every July 1, despite having not played in the orange and blue since 1999. The payday is affectionately known as “Bobby Bonilla Day” – the one day a year Mets fans can celebrate their beloved team’s cursed incompetence.

Guests will be able to take in two ball games from inside one of the stadium’s VIP suites.  Photo courtesy of the New York Mets

Nonetheless, the Bronx native will work for the team a little this year, offering a virtual greeting and tour of the guests’ home for the night.

“As a born and raised New Yorker and a longtime player in the city, there is a special place in my heart for Mets fans and it’s wonderful to see the faithful back in some green seats in Queens,” Bonilla said in a statement. “This year, I’m joining in on the fun, trying on a new glove as an Airbnb Host and hopefully giving a few folks the night of their lives at Citi Field.”

The Mets cut Bonilla at the beginning of the 2000 season but because they still owed him $5.9 million for the final year of his contract, a deferred payment plan was born.

With added interest, Bonilla will be paid $29.8 million by 2035, the year the deal expires and the final “Bobby Bonilla Day” will be celebrated.

Fans can request the stay when listing opens at airbnb.com/mets.