Etihad Park: How New York City FC’s Long-Awaited Soccer-Specific Stadium Is Finally Taking Shape
For more than a decade, New York City FC fans have been waiting for a true home. Temporary stays at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, while functional, never quite felt permanent. That wait is now entering its final chapter.
Etihad Park, New York City’s first-ever soccer-specific stadium, is rising in Willets Point, Queens — and construction progress as of mid-2026 shows a project that is very much on track.
Exact Location and Context
The stadium is being built at 126-87 Willets Point Boulevard, directly adjacent to Citi Field in the historic Willets Point neighborhood. It forms the centerpiece of a larger mixed-use redevelopment that includes affordable housing, a new public school, a hotel, retail space, and significant public open areas.
Current Construction Status (as of July 2026)
- Groundbreaking: December 4, 2024
- Topping Out: March 25, 2026 — completed on schedule
- Current Phase: Superstructure largely complete. Work is advancing on the roof, exterior cladding, seating bowls, and interior fit-out.
The stadium’s distinctive rectangular form and “The Cube” main entrance are becoming clearly visible from surrounding highways and elevated trains.
The project remains on schedule for a summer 2027 opening, aligning with the start of the 2027–28 MLS season.
Key Technical Details
- Capacity: 25,000 seats
- Cost: Approximately $780 million (100% privately financed by City Football Group)
- Architect: HOK
- General Contractor: Turner Construction
- Notable Features: First fully electric outdoor professional sports stadium in the United States, extensive LED displays, a large Supporters Porch, and excellent public transit access.
The venue will also host matches during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Broader Significance
Beyond NYCFC, the stadium will become the new home of Gotham FC (reigning NWSL champions) starting in 2028. This shared facility marks a historic moment for women’s soccer in New York.
For the city, Etihad Park represents a major win in the push to establish New York as a true global soccer capital.
The Bottom Line
After years of planning, delays, and temporary homes, Etihad Park is no longer a distant rendering. Steel is up, the shape is clear, and the finish line is visible in 2027.
For NYCFC supporters who have waited patiently through more than a decade of uncertainty, the wait is almost over. A true home — built for soccer, in Queens — is on the horizon.