New York City FC has released the first renderings of its new, soccer-specific stadium, a $780 million, privately financed, 25,000-seat soccer-specific stadium in Willets Point, Queens.
NYCFC was initially announced as an MLS expansion club back in 2013, debuting in the 2015 season. with the idea that the team would find a deal to build its own soccer-specific stadium in New York City. The plan was for the club to play at Yankee Stadium until that happened. But it has taken longer than anticipated for the club to get a deal for land and begin planning for the stadium, and this has meant led to a nomadic lifestyle for the MLS side. In the 2022 season, NYCFC played “home” matches at five venues: Yankee Stadium (the team’s primary location, home of the New York Yankees), Red Bull Arena (home of rival New York Red Bulls), Citi Field, Belson Stadium (home of St. John’s University) and even BMO Stadium (home of LAFC).
Now though, plans are afoot, and the club have unveiled new renderings for their planned soccer-specific stadium that’s set to debut during the 2027 MLS season in Queens’ Willets Point neighbourhood.
The 25,000-seat venue, privately financed at $780 million, is one aspect of the Willets Point Revitalisation Plan. Aside from New York City’s first-ever soccer-specific stadium, the project would include the city’s largest 100% affordable housing development in 40 years (estimated 2,500 units) amid pedestrian-friendly, 21st-century urban planning principles. It will also include over 40,000 square feet of public open space, a 650-seat school, a 250-key hotel, and ground-floor retail shops.
“From the beginning, New York City Football Club has understood the importance of strong communication and collaboration with mayor [Eric] Adams, council member Francisco Moya, borough president Richards, and the local Queens community as we move forward with plans for a privately financed soccer-specific stadium,” said Marty Edelman, NYCFC’s vice chairman, in a release. “This continued investment in New York City will create a long-overdue home for our first team, and create a new neighbourhood for Queens.”
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