Two-Time and Reigning NWSL Champions Will Play in New York City’s First-Ever Soccer-Specific Stadium, New York City FC’s World-Class Etihad Park in Queens, Beginning in 2028
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Governor Hochul, Mayor Mamdani, Gotham FC and New York City FC announced today that Gotham FC — the two-time, reigning National Women’s Soccer League champion — will make Etihad Park in Queens its permanent home beginning in 2028.
The move marks a defining moment in New York City history, giving one of the world’s leading women’s clubs a matchday environment that reflects its ambitions and provides supporters with a memorable experience in a world-class city.
“New York State is home to some of the world's greatest sports teams, and we couldn't be more excited to officially add the reigning NWSL Champions, Gotham FC, to our ranks,”Governor Hochul said.“Now residents and visitors alike will be able to experience our premier women’s soccer team right here in New York City at our first-ever soccer specific stadium — giving players and fans the world-class experience they deserve.”
he agreement manifests a shared vision between Gotham FC and New York City FC to establish New York as a home of world-class professional soccer.
For Gotham FC, it marks another defining step in building one of the world’s leading women’s clubs following its first continental title, second NWSL championship in three seasons and plans for the club’s first dedicated training facility in Whippany, New Jersey.
Gotham FC’s move to New York City will make world-class sports even more accessible to New Yorkers, with Etihad Park connecting the club to more than 3 million additional people within a 75-minute commute via MTA bus, subway, and Long Island Rail Road.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, “From Sam Kerr’s legendary four-goal comeback to Midge Purce’s championship-clinching heroics, Gotham FC has given us some of the greatest moments in women’s soccer.
Now the next electrifying chapter of that story will be written in New York City.
Bringing Gotham FC to Queens means that the young girl kicking a ball around Jackson Heights, Jamaica or the South Bronx will be able to take the train and watch some of the best players in the world in her own city.
It means more customers for neighborhood restaurants, more visitors filling our hotels and, most importantly, a permanent home for world-class women’s soccer in the greatest city in the world.”
“New York State is home to some of the world's greatest sports teams, and we couldn't be more excited to officially add the reigning NWSL Champions, Gotham FC, to our ranks”
Gotham FC Governor Carolyn Tisch Blodgett said, “From day one, our ambition has been bigger than championships.
We are building one of the world’s most iconic clubs and helping define the future of women’s sports.
Our move to Etihad Park reflects that ambition, and we are deeply grateful to New York City FC for their vision and commitment to helping make this historic moment possible.
World-class athletes deserve world-class environments, and this move allows us to keep raising the standard for our players, supporters and the game itself.
Gotham FC is showing what is possible when you invest boldly in women’s soccer, and we are committed to building an experience worthy of the fans who have believed in this club from the beginning.”
Today’s announcement builds on Governor Hochul’s Unplug and Play initiative, including the launch of NY Kicks, a new program aimed at building youth soccer fields in disadvantaged communities across each region of the state to strengthen neighborhoods and bring people together through a shared love of the game.
First proposed in the Governor's 2026 State of the State and included in the FY27 Enacted Budget, the $5 million NY Kicks program will provide capital grants to support the creation, expansion and enhancement of community soccer fields for youth and players of all ages, capitalizing on the momentum of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
The FY27 Budget also includes $1 million in additional funding that will be administered by the State Office of Children and Family Services for a companion grant program for NY Kicks recipients to fund programming, equipment, training, and other operating costs that maximize use of these new soccer facilities.
The capital grant program will be administered by Empire State Development through the Consolidated Funding Application, and program guidelines and additional information can be found here .
Etihad Park will be New York City’s first soccer-specific stadium, opening in spring 2027.
New York City FC will start play at Etihad Park with the beginning of the 2027-28 MLS season in July 2027, with Gotham FC set to begin play in 2028.
In addition to MLS and NWSL matches, Etihad Park will host major international soccer events, including men’s and women’s Olympic soccer matches in 2028, as well as international friendlies, concerts and other sporting events.
Etihad Park is steps away from the Mets-Willets Point transit station serving the 7 train and LIRR.
The stadium will be the country’s first all-electric outdoor sports venue, 100% privately funded by City Football Group, and is proudly being built entirely by union labor.
Etihad Park is located next to Citi Field in the rapidly growing and historic Willets Point sports corridor, a stone’s throw from the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
New York City FC CEO Brad Sims said, “We are thrilled to welcome Gotham FC to Etihad Park as both of our clubs enter an exciting new chapter.
New York City FC and Gotham FC share a belief in what soccer can mean to this city, and with Gotham FC making their home alongside us in what will be a truly world-class soccer stadium in Queens, we have an extraordinary platform to help shape the future of the game in New York City together.
Etihad Park will be a place where the world’s game comes to life in the world’s city for our players, our supporters, our communities, and the next generation of fans.
We are proud to call Gotham FC our partner and excited for the future we will build together.”
Brooklyn Borough president Donovan Richards said, “To the reigning NWSL champions, welcome home.
We couldn't be prouder to call Gotham FC our newest neighbors here in Queens, as we continue to bring world-class soccer to The World's Borough and its families who maintain an unmatched passion for the beautiful game,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “With Gotham FC's coming move to Etihad Park, we can't wait to see generations of young girls across Queens grow up idolizing Rose, Tierna, Bruninha and the countless inspirational superstars that will come after them.
In bringing yet another elite professional sports team to Queens, the soccer capital of the country, we have scored a remarkable goal for New York City and the sport of soccer.”
New York City Councilmember Shanel Thomas-Henry said, “There is no better home for the world's game than the World's Borough.
In Queens, soccer has always been more than a sport, it is a shared language that brings together people across cultures, generations, and communities.
Welcoming the reigning NWSL champions, Gotham FC, to Etihad Park is about more than a new home field; it's about investing in a borough that has always lived and breathed the game.
This is about creating opportunity, inspiring the next generation of young athletes, and showing what is possible when we invest in communities with purpose.
I'm grateful to Governor Hochul, Mayor Mamdani, Gotham FC, New York City FC, and all of our partners for helping make this vision a reality here in District 21.”
New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, “Gotham FC is coming home to New York City.
This move to Queens and the new state of the art Etihad Park will make Gotham FC’s games more accessible for millions – making it easier for families to catch a game and hopefully inspire the next generation of soccer stars.
New York City is a sports town and we’re proud to add the reigning NWSL Champions to the roster of teams playing in our great city.”