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New Jersey 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb FAQ's

pre-climb

For training purposes, what’s the height of each individual stair that we’ll be climbing? How many steps are in the entire climb route?

The height of the climb route steps at MetLife Stadium are approx. 4”. The climb route is roughly 110 flights of stairs equaling approximately 2,200 steps. Each participant will climb up and down a section, 22 sections in total, climbing around the majority of the stadium. 

No – Please arrive at 11am on Saturday only for check-in, pick-up your badge, wristband, and receive your stair climb t-shirt (if registered before August 14, 2026).

Your start time is the estimated time you will start the course. For example, a participant signed up for “Wave 1” will enter MetLife Stadium and begin climbing at approximately 1:00PM. You will be moved to a “standby” area after the Opening Ceremony to wait for your wave to be announced.

  • You can pre-register online. You can also register on the day of the climb.
  • When registering online, you can register as an individual (not part of a team); you can form a team and become a team captain; or you can join an existing team.
  • To register as an individual, select the ‘REGISTER as an individual’ button. You will have access to your participant center where you can send e-mails to friends and family asking them to support you.
  • To create a team and become team captain, select the ‘FORM A TEAM become a team captain’ button. The team captain determines the name of the team and if a password is needed to join the team.
  • To join a team, select the ‘JOIN A TEAM to begin fundraising’ button. Each team member will have access to their own participant center where they can send e-mails to friends and family asking for support. All team members’ fundraising contributes to the team total.
  • All registrants will be asked to login or join as a new user. If you registered online for previous climbs, enter your login information. If you forgot your login, you can have it sent to you by clicking on the ‘Email me my login information’ link. If this is your first time, select the ‘JOIN AS A NEW PARTICIPANT’ button. You will be asked to create a login during the registration process. All required fields are marked with a red asterisk (*). You must pay with a credit/debit card. All major credit cards are accepted.

Waves fill up on a first-come first-serve basis. If you are looking to climb with a group please ensure you sign-up together.

All climbers will receive an honor badge.

All ages are welcome to climb. If a participant is under 18 years of age, they must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. The parent/guardian must sign the liability waiver for the participant that is under 18 years of age. Any child that is willing and able to climb the route will need to register. ALL registered climbers are required to sign a liability waiver upon registration on site AND for MetLife Stadium, please see link for MetLife Stadium’s liability waiver on the Event Schedule & Details tab. If both are not signed, climbers will not be able to participate on September 6th, no exceptions.

We count on participants to assess their level of fitness. If at any point the climb becomes too difficult, participants are encouraged to take a break or stop climbing in the interest of safety. Before the climb, all participants must sign a waiver in order to participate. Please remember, this is a memorial climb, not a race. If any participants are seen racing or competing through the route, they will be escorted off the premises. Participants can stop climbing whenever is right for them, however, they will still need to walk back to the main entrance to exit.

 Parking is available in LOT F or LOT G. Parking is free of charge at the stadium for the day for participants, family and staff. 

Participants can wear athletic clothing or partial or full firefighter turnout gear. Please bring/wear clean gear. Plan accordingly for weather.

  • If the participant is registering on-site; cash, checks and Visa, Discover, Mastercard and American Express debit/credit cards are accepted.
  • Participants are encouraged to bring a camera or smartphone for photo opportunities during the opening ceremony and post-climb. They can bring tools, hoses, flags or other items if they choose.
  • No weapons, of any kind, will be allowed onto the premises or into the Stadium. 

Badges are distributed at random during registration/check-in. Each participant will wear the honor badge during the climb and call out the fallen firefighter’s name when they ring the bell. If there’s a specific firefighter you’d like to climb for, please send the name request in advance to stairclimb@firehero.org. We will make our best efforts to accommodate the request.

ALL registered climbers, of all ages, are required to sign a liability waiver upon registration on site AND for MetLife Stadium, please see link for MetLife Stadium’s liability waiver on the Event Schedule & Details tab. If both are not signed, climbers will not be able to participate on September 6th, no exceptions.

Please contact our Stair Climb coordinator listed at the bottom of the FAQ.

Please contact our event coordinator listed at the bottom of the FAQ.

Please contact our logistics sector officer listed at the bottom of the FAQ.

Yes, a limited number of 2025 t-shirts will be available in various sizes. The shirt is available for $20 donation to NFFF. Reminder, for climbers that registered AFTER August 8th, t-shirts are NOT included in your registration fee. Available via cash or card.
Yes, we will have a limited quantity of re-usable water bottles available for $5 donation to NFFF. Available via cash or card.

DURING THE CLIMB

How will I know which wave I am on the day of the climb?
  • Waves are filled on a first-come first-serve basis and are assigned based on your registration date and time. You will be notified of your wave prior to the event via email.
  • During registration each participant will receive a color-coded wristband that will represent each wave. Listen for the announcer to call your wave/color.

The climb route is one full lap, up and down sections around the entire bowl that equate to 110 stories – the height of the fallen World Trade Center towers. Each wave will have a pre-established lead climber. Depending on the number of climbers and the fitness level of each climber, the climb takes anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours to complete. The climb is NOT a timed race.

Yes, please see below for the 2025 climb route as well as available restrooms and water stations.

Volunteers will be the RED versions of the 2025 climb t-shirts.

Spectators are allowed to attend the event for free but are encouraged to donate to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. All spectators are required to wear a wristband, available at the ‘Check-In’ tent, in order to enter the stadium. There will be a designated spectating area inside of the bowl in sections 142-144. For safety and security reasons, we ask that spectators please stay inside of the spectator area.

Climbers usually do not use phones and cameras during the climb. Climbers should bring a camera for photo opportunities during the opening ceremony and post climb.

The bagpiper will lead climbers into the bowl. After the procession has finished, music will not be played inside of the bowl. This event is about remembrance. You are welcome to bring a personal music device to listen to with headphones, but we encourage climbers to reflect during the climb. Listen to the constant footsteps made by yourself and others climbing around you. Think about the commitment and dedication of the firefighters from 9/11 – let that be your motivation to finish the climb.

Yes, plenty of water stations will be positioned at various locations along the climbing route; however, climbers are encouraged to properly hydrate prior to the event.

Yes, there will be local emergency crews on site for the duration of the climb. In the event of an emergency, event volunteers will communicate with emergency personnel.

The climb is held rain or shine. In cases of severe weather such as a tornado, lightning or a snowstorm, the event will be cancelled. Weather updates will be emailed to pre-registrants. This event page will also be updated with weather related concerns.

No pets please.

POST CLIMB

Can I exchange my shirt for a different size?

After the event, come to the registration table and we will accommodate you if we can.

After the event, come to the registration table and we will accommodate you if we can.  

There will be two photo ops available at the end of the climb route. Upon route completion, you can take a photo at the step & repeat next to the bell. Or you can go to the climb entrance gate to take photos outside of the Stadium.

A feedback survey will be emailed to all climbers following the event. Please tell us about your climb experience to help make this event better next year. We appreciate your valuable feedback.

Climbers can leave messages on the Memorial Walls of the firefighters by going to firehero.org/fallen-firefighters; and entering the firefighter’s name into the search field.

Sponsorships, media inquiries, partnerships: 

Ashley Ross

NJ 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Coordinator

NJ911climb@f-ss.com

If you have a question that is not listed above, please contact Ashley Ross/Adam Cassidy at nj911climb@f-ss.com. Thank you!

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