Construction is reaching its zenith at the Willets Point site in Queens, where the topping-out ceremony for Etihad Park is set to define a new era for professional soccer in the United States. As the first soccer-specific stadium in New York City’s history, the 25,000-seat venue will serve as the permanent home for New York City Football Club (NYCFC), signaling a major shift in the American sports landscape.
A Transformative Urban Development
The stadium is the centerpiece of a historic public-private partnership aimed at redeveloping 23 acres of land previously used for industrial purposes. Financed entirely by NYCFC at a cost of $780 million, the project is integrated into a broader mixed-use neighborhood development that includes:
- Affordable Housing: Over 2,500 units, marking the largest such development in NYC in four decades.
- Community Hubs: An on-site public school, a hotel, and retail spaces.
- Public Space: More than 150,000 square feet of dedicated public open space.
Engineering and Operational Vision
To prepare the site, engineers drove 1,400 concrete piles over 350 feet deep to stabilize the foundation. Beyond the technical specs, the club utilized extensive surveys of over 30 user groups to ensure the stadium remains accessible and responsive to players, fans, media, and the local community.
“This stadium project has really been about twelve years in the making. Like all great projects, it’s about people and partners, and bringing it together.” — Jon Stemp, Chief Infrastructure Officer, City Football Group
Community-First Strategy
A core component of Etihad Park is the permanent headquarters for City in the Community (CITC), the club’s foundation. By embedding the foundation within the stadium, NYCFC intends to provide year-round access to sports, STEM, health, and wellness programming for families across all five boroughs, ensuring the venue generates value well beyond matchdays.