A new era of soccer is coming to the Big Apple.
New York City FC is building a new, $780 million stadium in the heart of Queens, and in the shadow of an iconic ballpark.
A render image shows New York City FC's new Etihad Park stadium
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A soccer-specific stadium will be built in New York City for the 2027 seasonCredit: Instagram / @newyorkcityfc
The Major League Soccer club, founded in 2013, has never had a real place of their own to call home.
Since their inaugural season in 2015, NYCFC has bounced between the boroughs of The City That Never Sleeps.
The team has played at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, home of the iconic New York Yankees and Citi Field in Queens -- the ballpark the New York Mets call home.
In recent years, the nomadic NYCFC have even played multiple matches at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.
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Come 2027, though, they will finally have a permanent home.
New York City FC confirm major stadium update
Construction of Etihad Park, the team's new 25,000-seater stadium, began in December 2024 with a groundbreaking on what had been sinking swamp land south of LaGuardia Airport.
Designed by architecture firm HOK, the new soccer venue is being built across the street from Citi Field, one of MLB's best ballparks.
Work is expected to take around 30 months, and on Wednesday, NYCFC revealed plans to move in for the 2027-28 MLS season.
A calendar change, which will see the league shift to a 'Fall-to-Spring" schedule starting next year -- to align with the global soccer calendar -- was a factor in picking that opening date.
"The club will play their first match at Etihad Park, New York City’s first soccer-specific stadium, with the beginning of the 2027-28 MLS season in the summer of 2027," a statement read.
A render image shows New York City FC's new Etihad Park stadium
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Etihad Park will be built in the shadow of Citi Field, home of the NY MetsCredit: New York City FC
A render image shows New York City FC's new Etihad Park stadium
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The stadium will open in time for the 2027/28 MLS season, aligned with the global soccer calendarCredit: New York City FC
A render image shows New York City FC's new Etihad Park stadium
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Fans will be offered a premium experience both inside and outCredit: Instagram / @newyorkcityfc
"Before the calendar change, MLS will stage a transition season from February to May 2027, featuring a 14-game regular season, playoffs, and MLS Cup.
"The Club will play home matches during that transition season at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field."
Meanwhile, an Eastern Conference rival, the Chicago Fire, are also building a new stadium at the heart of their own city.
What features will Etihad Park boast?
NYCFC's new stadium promises to bring soccer home to the 'greatest city in the world.'
It will offer fans a 'redefined premium experience' with high-end food and drink options, luxury VIP seating, skyline 'loft' lounges and exclusive pitch-side seating.
Etihad Park even boasts 'Gatsby Seating' -- and all-inclusive luxury experience, where visitors will sit directly next to the player benches after eating at The Tunnel Club, which offers a view of the teams as they walk out from the locker rooms.
A render image shows New York City FC's new Etihad Park stadium
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Etihad Park will boast some of the best facilities in the MLSCredit: New York City FC
A render image shows New York City FC's new Etihad Park stadium
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Premium seating, as well as dining options, will be on offerCredit: New York City FC
On top of the premium fan experience, NYCFC CEO Brad Sims expects the new stadium to create an intimidation factor for visiting sides that will be 'second to none.'
"It’s great to see what we’ve achieved and the future of how incredible our home field advantage is," Sims said last September.
"I feel bad for our opponents from 2027 and beyond and what they will experience.
"This will be the tightest, loudest and best fan experience and the marquee place to host football matches."
A render image shows New York City FC's new Etihad Park stadium
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NYCFC CEO Sims hopes for the most intimidating atmosphere in MLSCredit: New York City FC
Etihad Park promises plenty, and it will be up to NYCFC players to ensure the entertainment on the field is up to scratch.
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In 2025, they went on a playoff run to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they were bettered 5-1 by Lionel Messi and his eventual MLS Cup-winning Inter Miami team.
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