New York City FC Break Ground On Etihad Park
New York City FC officially broke ground on Etihad Park, New York’s first professional soccer-specific stadium and Major League Soccer’s (MLS) first fully-electric stadium across the nation.
Joining the ceremony were New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Councilmember Francisco Moya and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards.
The new 25,000-seat stadium, which will be operational by the 2027 MLS season, is being entirely privately financed by New York City FC and will also feature retail, food and beverage facilities, office space and a “City Square,” a plaza for community uses and events.
Etihad Park’s groundbreaking comes approximately a decade after New York City FC was founded. During that time, the club has been committed to growing the sport of soccer across New York City.
“New York City FC committed ten years ago to build New York City’s first-ever, soccer-specific stadium in the five boroughs, and today’s groundbreaking of Etihad Park in Willets Point, Queens, brings us one step closer to delivering that promise to our fans and our city,” said New York City FC Vice Chairman Marty Edelman.
Etihad Park is one piece of Mayor Adams’ Willets Point transformation, which will deliver 2,500 affordable homes – the city’s largest 100 percent affordable new housing project in 40 years – over 40,000 square feet of public open space, a 250-key hotel, a 650-seat public school and neighbourhood-serving, ground-floor retail shops that will create good-paying jobs for community residents.
“Today, we are breaking ground on Etihad Park — our city’s first-ever soccer-specific stadium — for New York City FC to call home and finally deliver New Yorkers the soccer stadium they deserve,” said Mayor Adams.
“Along with cohosting the 2026 World Cup with New Jersey, this stadium puts us on the map as a world-class soccer destination, and it makes Willets Point the city’s premier sports hub. This stadium is part of our Willets Point Transformation, building a neighbourhood with more housing, public space and a new school out of the Valley of Ashes.”
MLS Commissioner Don Garber, added: “This is a historic moment for New York City FC, Major League Soccer, and everyone who has believed in the promise of soccer in America.
“We’ve always known that a world-class soccer stadium belongs in New York City. Congratulations and thanks to Mayor Adams, Councilman Moya, Borough President Richards, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, club ownership, staff, players, and fans of New York City FC on making Etihad Park a reality.”
Images: NYCFC
