The 2014 Monster Energy Supercross schedule has been revealed, with New York and Detroit the most notable changes. Image: Simon Cudby.

The 2014 Monster Energy AMA Supercross schedule has been announced, with the 17-round season making its first-ever visit to New York’s MetLife Stadium and a return to Detroit’s Ford Field.

Though the makeup of the calendar has changed, the sport’s signature events, Anaheim 1 (4 January) and Las Vegas (3 May) still bookend the full four-month showdown.

The state-of-the-art MetLife Stadium is one of the newest venues in the country, re-built on the original Meadowlands site which hosted AMA Supercross for a five-year period in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

President of Feld Motorsports, Charlie Mancuso, said the expansion into the greater New York metropolitan area was in response to the sport’s continued growth.

“Monster Energy Supercross is in the midst of the most competitive eras of racing we’ve ever seen,” said Mancuso. “With 40 incredible seasons behind us, we look ahead to continue bringing the best racing on the planet to new markets and new audiences across North America.

“The sport is at an all-time high in terms of attendance, popularity, and media exposure, so it’s only natural that we continue to expand to the largest media market in the world – New York.”

Newly-crowned 450SX champion Ryan Villopoto supported the move to a new venue.

“I think it’ll be good to race in some new stadiums,” said Villopoto. “There’s a big racing community in the Northeast, which should draw a big crowd.

“Just like in Seattle, being that far north in the winter, the weather will likely play a part in the dirt and temperature.

“It’ll be cool to go somewhere new with no expectations. Every stop we go to is unique, but I’d say the racing tends to get better on the East Coast because the dirt allows us to push a little harder.”

2014 Monster Energy Supercross schedule:
Rd1. 4 January, Angel Stadium, Anaheim
Rd2. 11 January, Chase Field, Phoenix
Rd3. 18 January, Angel Stadium, Anaheim
Rd4. 25 January, O.Co Coliseum, Oakland
Rd5. 1 February, Angel Stadium, Anaheim
Rd6. 8 February, Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego
Rd7. 15 February, Cowboys Stadium, Arlington
Rd8. 22 February, Georgia Dome, Atlanta
Rd9. 1 March, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
Rd10. 8 March, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach
Rd11. 15 March, Ford Field, Detroit
Rd12. 22 March, Rogers Centre, Toronto
Rd13. 29 March, Edward Jones Dome, St Louis
Rd14. 5 April, Reliant Stadium, Houston
Rd15. 12 April, CenturyLink Field, Seattle
Rd16. 26 April, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
Rd17. 3 May, Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas