New York City FC broke ground on their new 25 thousand-seat soccer-specific stadium last Wednesday with a myriad of dignitaries present, including Founding Members who have waited a decade for this moment. City, who came into the league in 2015, have played their games in a rotation of venues, including Yankee Stadium, Citi Field and Red Bull Arena in New Jersey. Now, once built, City’s stadium will be their permanent home and the last step towards imprinting themselves into the NYC sports landscape.
“This is a historic moment for New York City FC,” said MLS commissioner Don Garber. “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 and fans of New York City FC on making Etihad Park a reality.”
The naming rights of Etihad Airways surprised few as the connection between City Football Group and the Abu Dhabi-owned airlines runs deep. Most teams under the CFG umbrella use the company as a kit sponsor and have naming rights within their stadiums. Now that connection continues in Queens with NYCFC.
The plan is to have the stadium complete by 2027, 12 years after the team first kicked off in Yankee Stadium. Many in the fanbase began to lose hope over the possibilities of such a project as several attempts to find a permanent home fell through. Most notably, a site in the Bronx along with a project similar to the one that will happen in Queens, was nearly finalized but eventually cancelled over a dispute regarding parking locations.
Previous to that idea, MLS has worked hard in areas like lower and upper Manhattan as well as various areas in Queens. This site, across the street from Citi Field, was finalized late last year and now the work begins to build what will be one of the shining beacons of MLS stadiums.
photo from NYCFC