19th December 2025
December 18 – By bringing in online wallet Paze as a founding partner of Etihad Park, New York City FC’s new multi-year partnership with Early Warning Services is leaning into a bigger idea about what modern stadiums are becoming and what role they play in city life.
At the heart of the deal is Paze City Square, a public space as part of the stadium footprint. It’s built to function every day, and feel less like a forecourt and more like a neighborhood gathering place. On non-matchdays, it stays open, connected by walkways and designed to pull people in rather than shut them out.
“Etihad Park represents the future of live sports experiences, and we’re excited that Paze will be a part of that vision from day one,” said Serge Elkiner, general manager, Paze.
“Paze City Square will bring fans, local merchants and innovation together in one truly dynamic space. Our role is to simplify checkout – making it fast, frictionless, and with added security – so fans can focus on what matters most: the match and the moments around it.”
That shift reflects a wider trend across sport. New stadiums are no longer isolated venues that switch on and off with the fixture list. They’re becoming anchors for communities, places that generate foot traffic, culture, and economic activity year-round. Clubs and partners are now co-investing in placemaking, not just seating bowls.
Etihad Park is also shaping up as a testing ground for technology. Paze, a digital checkout and wallet supported by major U.S. banks, will sit behind ticketing, retail, and food and beverage payments.
As the first fully electric outdoor stadium in the US, and part of a broader Willets Point redevelopment that includes housing, schools, and public space, Etihad Park shows where stadium design is heading. Less event-only, more integrated. And increasingly, a place where cities pilot how sport, technology, and community life intersect.
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