Etihad Park – design description

How does the new stadium project for New York City FC look in brief?

In 2015, New York City FC joined Major League Soccer as the second club from the New York metropolitan area, alongside the New York Red Bulls. From the very beginning, however, the team had no dedicated stadium, playing most of its home matches at Yankee Stadium, the baseball venue of MLB’s New York Yankees.

Plans for a New York City FC stadium were discussed even before the team made its league debut, but over the years successive proposed locations were rejected and the project failed to move forward.

A breakthrough came only in November 2022, when Willets Point was selected as the site of the new stadium. The neglected area lies right next to Citi Field, the home ballpark of another MLB team, the New York Mets.

The new stadium will have a capacity of 25,000 and a traditional soccer-specific seating layout. Its signature feature will be “The Cube” – the main entrance in the southwest corner, designed as a rectangular portal clad with screens on the inside.

The project also includes a comprehensive redevelopment of a 23-acre site, with new housing, commercial spaces, a hotel, and an elementary school.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on December 4, 2024. Construction is scheduled for completion ahead of the 2027 season, and through a naming rights deal with Etihad Airways, the stadium will be called Etihad Park.

Why does New York need a new soccer stadium?

In 2013, a new soccer club was founded, New York City FC, with the aim of joining Major League Soccer, the top-tier competition in the United States and Canada.

The team began playing in MLS in 2015 season, using Yankee Stadium as its temporary home, a venue primarily occupied by the New York Yankees (MLB). Some matches have also been held at other venues. From the outset, however, the club’s ambition was to have its own soccer-specific stadium.

The club is one of two MLS teams from the New York metropolitan area, alongside the New York Red Bulls, who play at their own stadium in Harrison. Meetings between the two sides, though still a relatively young rivalry, are branded as the Hudson River Derby. New York City FC positions itself as the club of New York City proper, while the Red Bulls are associated with the western part of the metro area.

In 2021, New York City FC achieved its greatest success to date by winning MLS Cup. In 2022, the team went on to capture the Campeones Cup and reached the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League.

What were the previous plans for a new New York City FC stadium?

The first plans were developed even before the team played its first season in 2015. Initially, it was assumed that the new stadium would be built in Queens, in Flushing Meadows Park. However, local residents opposed construction in the park, other issues arose, and this location was eventually abandoned.

Next, building a new venue next to Yankee Stadium was considered, followed by reports of plans to construct the stadium at Belmont Park, near the horse racing track. In 2018, Rafael Viñoly Architects presented a concept according to which the stadium would be located near the Willis Avenue Bridge. None of these proposals were ultimately realized.

When were the current plans for a new New York City FC stadium announced?

On November 15, 2022, a press conference was held where New York City Mayor Eric Adams presented the plans for a new stadium at Willets Point. A preliminary site concept was prepared by S9 Architecture.

In April 2023, it was announced that the new stadium would be designed by HOK, with Turner Construction Company selected as the main contractor. Renderings of the future stadium were presented in May 2023, with further updates released in October 2023 and March 2024.

Where will the new New York City FC stadium be built?

The stadium will be located at Willets Point in Queens, right next to Citi Field, home of MLB’s New York Mets. Until now, the area has been heavily neglected, known for numerous auto repair shops and junkyards. The site is also relatively close to Flushing Meadows, where the club originally planned to build its own stadium.

What are the key features of the Willets Point stadium project?

The new stadium will feature a traditional soccer-specific seating layout and have a capacity of 25,000. One of the most notable design elements is the main entrance, known as “The Cube,” located in the southwest corner, designed as a rectangular portal clad with LED panels on the inside.

In addition to the stadium, the project includes residential buildings with 2,500 affordable units, commercial and retail spaces, a 250-room hotel, and an elementary school. New public spaces are also planned, and the entire 23-acre area will undergo a comprehensive redevelopment.

How will the Willets Point stadium be built?

The club plans to carry out the entire project in partnership with the Queens Development Group consortium, which includes the development companies Related Companies and Sterling Equities. The project will be financed with private funds, although the investors will be exempt from paying property taxes, and the city will also handle improvements to the infrastructure surrounding the buildings.

The site will be leased by the city for 49 years, with an option to extend for an additional 25 years. The construction cost of the stadium itself is estimated at $780 million. The club will initially pay $500,000 per year for the land lease, rising to $1 million per year once the stadium opens. This amount is expected to increase further over time, reaching $4 million annually by the end of the lease term.

On November 21, 2024, a naming rights agreement was announced. Etihad Airways became the stadium’s sponsor, and the venue will be called Etihad Park. The contract is set to last for 20 years.

When will the new New York City FC stadium be completed?

The official groundbreaking ceremony took place on December 4, 2024. The stadium is expected to be ready for the start of the 2027 season.

Updates on the construction of Etihad Park can be found on a dedicated webpage