Singing sensation Ali Berke to perform national anthem at home finale of Giants’ 100th season
Dec 25, 2024
It’s rare to get a chance to hear one of the most well-traveled singers in sports, but that will be the case for the fans in attendance at the final home game of the Giants’ 100th season.
Ali Berke, a 24-year-old Long Island native who has sung The Star-Spangled Banner at 14 MLB stadiums as well as at NHL, NBA and WNBA games, will make her NFL debut Sunday at MetLife Stadium prior to the Giants’ 1 p.m. kickoff against the Colts.
“The NFL is pretty much as big as you can get besides the Super Bowl,” Berke told The Trentonian this week. “It’s the most capacity, probably gonna be the most nerve-wracking, and I’m just really excited to just have the opportunity to do this. This’ll be like kind of tying together all four of the major league sports teams that I’ll be able to sing for.”
Berke has gained national attention over the past couple years in her quest to become the first person to sing at every MLB stadium. Since first performing at the Mets’ Citi Field at the age of 16, she has sung the anthem at the ballparks in Philadelphia (pictured), Chicago (Wrigley Field), Washington, Boston, Baltimore, Arizona, Houston, Miami, Oakland, San Diego, Anaheim, Cincinnati and Milwaukee.
She also performed this year at a Devils game at Prudential Center, a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden and a Liberty game at Barclays Center. Earlier in her journey, she sung at Minor League Baseball games for the Somerset Patriots and the Brooklyn Cyclones and at NBA G League games for the Long Island Nets and the Westchester Knicks.
“Every game is kind of different,” Berke said. “I think no matter what, everybody is always very into it, very supportive. They’re there to root for their home team, so I think that everybody is always in a good mood.”
The opportunity with the Giants came earlier this year when she submitted paperwork and an audition tape. The Giants liked what they heard and were able to accommodate her before the end of the season.
In what will assuredly be her coldest environment so far, Berke will be bundled with layers over her customized No. 23 Giants jersey. She recently got into football and roots for the Giants, Jets and Bills because of her pride to be a New Yorker.
Even though MetLife Stadium will likely have a few less people in the stands than usual with the Giants out of playoff contention, Berke will still sing her heart out.
“No matter what, even if there’s five people there or five million people there, I think that just the honor to be asked to do it is a big deal,” Berke said. “No matter what, I still look at it the same way.”
Ali Berke has sung The Star-Spangled Banner at MLB, NHL, NBA and WNBA games. This Sunday’s Giants game will be her first time performing at an NFL game. (Contributed Photo)
And the moment doesn’t necessarily get easier over time. New experiences are typically tougher, especially her personal favorite at Madison Square Garden since that was a bucket list item from the time she was little.
“I think it depends on where I’m singing,” Berke said. “When it comes to baseball, it’s kind of repetitive, so I’m always ready, I’m not really anxious or nervous. But when I did the Garden for the Knicks in March, I was so nervous for that, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be pretty nervous for this one, too, just because it’s something different, it’s something new, and all eyes are on you.”
As for the future, Berke plans to reach out to more MLB teams when the new year hits and eventually reach the historic milestone of all 30 ballparks. She anticipates that Yankee Stadium and Dodger Stadium, the homes of two iconic franchises, may take the most time to schedule.
“It’s kind of like a side venture based on what I’m doing with my music right now,” Berke said. “It’s no rush. It will always be there, so whenever it happens, it happens. I think within the next few seasons that we’ll be able to hopefully make it work.”
Berke, who grew up idolizing Adele, has loved music since she was very young. She started recording pop music professionally at the age of 13. She recently performed at the Z100 Dunkin’ Lounge in Manhattan, with more lined up in 2025. Her songs can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes and YouTube.
While she currently works full-time outside of music, Berke’s goal is to eventually have a career entirely as a singer.
Performing for the Giants is another big step on that journey.
“I’m really excited and thankful for this opportunity,” Berke said. “It’s a great way to close out the year.”