New York City FC Breaks Ground on New Stadium in Willets Point
Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks a New Era for NYCFC
New York City FC (NYCFC) broke ground on its new stadium in Willets Point, Queens, on Wednesday afternoon. The 25,000-seat stadium, named Etihad Park, is scheduled to be completed before the start of the 2027 MLS season and will be the first-ever soccer-specific stadium in the five boroughs of New York City.
A New Home for NYCFC
The stadium will be the first fully electric stadium in the United States and will also feature a 2,500-unit affordable housing complex, a 650-seat elementary school, a 250-room hotel, retail space, and 40,000 square feet of public open space. NYCFC is financing the entire project, with an estimated cost of $800 million.
Elected Officials Attend Groundbreaking Ceremony
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Council Member Francisco Moya, MLS Commissioner Don Gerber, and EDC CEO Andrew Kimball attended the groundbreaking ceremony. Moya, who was born and raised in Corona, led the charge in the City Council to bring the city’s first-ever soccer-specific stadium to Willets Point and spoke about how he grew up playing soccer in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park and dreaming of bringing professional soccer to Queens.
Benefits for the Community
The Willets Point development is expected to create around 14,000 construction jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs, all of which will be fully unionized. The project will also generate $6.1 billion in economic development over the next 30 years. Mayor Adams described the development as a "once-in-a-generation historic achievement" and praised Moya for his efforts in fighting for the project in the City Council.
NYCFC’s Vision for the Stadium
Jonathan Stemp, chief of infrastructure at City Football Group, which owns a majority stake in NYCFC, said the Willets Point stadium will be a "special place" for NYCFC supporters and all New Yorkers. "Children, fathers, grandfathers, daughters, wives, grandmothers will be coming to this stadium for generations, and they’re going to build stories together. They’re going to make it a very special place where they’re going to build memories," Stemp said.
Supporter Reaction
NYCFC supporters warmly welcomed the long-anticipated groundbreaking, saying it marks an exciting time for the club. Felix Palau, president of the Bronx Chapter of the Third Rail supporters club, said the stadium is a reminder that the club’s roots are firmly planted in the five boroughs. "It means that we finally have a home. It means we did something that the Red Bulls couldn’t do, which is get a stadium without leaving the five boroughs," Palau said.
Conclusion
The groundbreaking of Etihad Park marks a significant milestone for NYCFC and the community. The stadium will not only provide a new home for the team but also bring economic growth and jobs to the area. With its unique features, such as being the first fully electric stadium in the United States, Etihad Park is set to be a symbol of innovation and sustainability in the world of sports.
FAQs
Q: When is the expected completion date of the stadium?
A: The stadium is expected to be completed before the start of the 2027 MLS season.
Q: What is the capacity of the stadium?
A: The stadium will have a capacity of 25,000 seats.
Q: What are the features of the stadium?
A: The stadium will feature a 2,500-unit affordable housing complex, a 650-seat elementary school, a 250-room hotel, retail space, and 40,000 square feet of public open space.
Q: Who is financing the project?
A: NYCFC is financing the entire project, with an estimated cost of $800 million.
