New York City FC new stadium: Ground broken on stadium development

New York City FC’s new stadium project is moving forward as the club looks to construct a dedicated football stadium for the club.

Ground was broken on the stadium site in late 2024, and plans are still in place for it to open for the 2027 MLS season. NYCFC has used both Yankee Stadium and Citi Field in the past, so a dedicated stadium for the club is the obvious next step.

New York City FC new stadium update

December 2024: A significant milestone for the project in early December as the ground was officially broken on the new stadium. “Today is a once-in-a-generation historic victory for this neighbourhood”, said Eric Adams, Mayor of New York. The new project, which is expected to cost over £600 million, will give the club a dedicated football space. The stadium has a planned capacity of 25,000 fully seated.

The project is also part of a broader project in the area, NYCFC’s CEO, Brad Sims has ; “When the plan’s complete, you’re going to see a whole new neighbourhood.” Locals have shared concerns that the new project will be bad for existing local businesses; however, NYC Economic Development Corporation president and CEO Andrew Kimball added, “Many of those shops are finding new homes. And this is exciting because this is 1,500 permanent jobs, 14,000 construction jobs, and new homes for over 2,500 New York City families”

November 2024: The New York City FC new stadium project has taken a significant step forward after it secured a naming right partnership with Etihad. With the new partnership, Etihad will continue growing its presence in football. The new stadium, Etihad Park, will be ready for the 2027 MLS season.

It will be the first purpose-built football stadium in New York, constructed in Willets Point, Queens. Etihad has been involved with the club for over a decade and is the title sponsor of its sister club, Manchester City.

New York City FC’s new stadium takes shape

The news will come as a huge relief for NYFC fans, who have been on edge for years about the construction of a new stadium. The stadium coConstruction is still ,on trthe stadium ack to open in 2027.

The new Etihad Park stadium will be built on a new 23-acre neighbourhood in Willets Point, Queens. The area will also include 2,500 new housing units, a new public school, a hotel, and 150,000 square feet of public open space.

Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad Airways CEO, said: “We are delighted to sponsor the naming rights of this fantastic venue, which I am sure will become a landmark sports destination in the US. We have supported New York City FC since its start in 2014, and this marks the latest chapter in our support for the Club.”

This is big news for New York City FC, which will now take the next step in its development as a club after joining the MLS in 2015. Brad Smith, New York City FC CEO added:

“For over a decade, we’ve been investing in New York with a vision of building the city into one of the soccer capitals of the world. Etihad Airways has been alongside us every step of the way and we’re thrilled to be making this announcement with them. Etihad Park will be the physical evidence of our deep and longstanding investment in New York City and will become a cathedral of soccer in the United States.”

Despite the USA and Mexico hosting the 2026 World Cup, the new New York FC stadium will not be done in time to host matches.