Gotham FC training hub to help community relax-celebrate-grow

Article posted by Coliseum, June 30^th, 2026

Image: Gotham FC

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team Gotham FC recently announced plans to construct the first dedicated training facility in the club history thus marking a significant milestone in the organization’s long-term investment in elite performance and player development and further cementing the New Jersey-New York region as one of the most important homes of soccer in the United States.

In addition to serving as the home of the Gotham FC’s sporting operations the facility will function as a community hub supporting youth soccer across the club’s footprint. A Gotham Quad will be created for the community to relax-celebrate-grow.

The renovations, designed in collaboration with the New York (US)-based SHoP Architects, will begin late this summer with full project completion targeted for summer 2027.

The Gotham Football Club is an American professional soccer team based in the New York Metropolitan area (US) that competes in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the highest level of the United States soccer league system.

The 25,000-seat Sports Illustrated Stadium is a soccer-specific stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, United States and serves as the home field of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team Gotham FC.

SHoP is a renowned architecture firm that built the 19,000-capacity Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York City, and the Brooklyn Tower (mixed-use in New York), headquarters for the American multinational transportation company Uber and the ree global video-sharing platform YouTube, and multiple US embassies across the globe. Its work spans five continents and is 100 percent employee-owned.

Purpose-built Environment

‘gothamfc.com’ stated that the Gotham FC will move into the former Red Bull New York training facility in Whippany, New Jersey (US) and transform the site into a 27,000-square-foot purpose-built environment centered on high performance, recovery and athlete well-being.

Comprehensive Spaces

The facility will feature a comprehensive suite of performance and operational spaces including three grass playing surfaces (one heated), a 3,000-square-foot gym, a hydrotherapy room, a dedicated player recovery room and lounge, and a dining area with daily meals prepared by a performance chef. Two of the grass fields are FIFA-certified and will be dedicated to first team usage and the club intends to build a full-size indoor turf field on campus thus creating flexibility for year-round play.

Gotham Quad

‘gothamfc.com’ further stated that the site will also include a dedicated content studio and Press room as well as space for the families of the players and the staff. The social areas throughout the facility connect the existing buildings slated for renovation which will create the Gotham Quad, a place for the Gotham community to relax, celebrate and grow.

‘Defining Clubs’

Commented Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, Governor, Gotham FC, “We are building Gotham FC with the ambition to become one of the defining clubs in women’s soccer and a global brand in sport. Creating our first dedicated training facility is a major milestone in that journey because it gives our players and the staff something every great club needs: A true home. This investment reflects our belief that the world-class athletes deserve world-class environments. We are building a place designed around performance, recovery, development, and connection while creating a foundation that will support the generations of players to come. As the women’s game continues to accelerate around the world we want the Gotham FC to help set the standard for what is possible and build something that endures.”

‘Elite Standards’

Added Yael Averbuch West, President, Soccer Operations, Gotham FC, “We are building an environment that allows our athletes to perform, recover and develop at the highest level every day. This facility represents a major step in aligning our infrastructure with our sporting ambitions and ensures we continue to set elite standards.”

‘Community Hub’

Maintained Mikie Sherrill, Governor of New Jersey, “We’re excited to see the Gotham FC deepen its commitment to New Jersey through its investment in a state-of-the-art training facility in Whippany. This facility will not only serve as a world-class home for the elite athletes and advance sports performance, Science and medicine but will also serve as a community hub that creates new opportunities for the young athletes and their families. By bringing an elite training facility directly into our communities the Gotham FC will inspire the next generation of young women and men to dream bigger, push further and redefine what’s possible.

New Jersey has always been on the leading edge of innovation. The Gotham FC’s investment is a testament to that legacy and will help us to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation and excellence here in our State.”

‘Community Connection’

Remarked Dana Getman, Principal, SHoP, “Our goal is to create a practice facility that reflects Gotham FC’s identity and ambition through a design that is elite yet grounded. Through sustainable adaptive reuse and warm, timber-intensive new interventions like the Gotham Quad we’re going to deliver a new model for a state-of-the-art training campus. It’s a facility designed to support the world-class athletes on the pitch while fostering deep team chemistry and community connection.”

Best-in-class Environment

The facility was designed with input from the players, the coaches and the performance staff to ensure every element reflects the day-to-day needs of the elite athletes. The project reflects the Gotham FC’s commitment to building a best-in-class environment that supports both elite competition and the growth of the game at all levels. It continues the club’s year of investment into its future following its second NWSL Championship in three seasons. There is now an open process for the naming rights and the other commercial opportunities.

The club will share additional renderings and images as the project gets underway. Specific features and community programming will be announced at a later date.

‘Shared Ambition’

Enthused Juan Carlos Amorós, Gotham FC Head Coach, “I’m thrilled about the new training ground. I want to thank the ownership and the management for making this vision a reality. It’s a major step toward our shared ambition of making the club a benchmark in the soccer world. This will elevate the experience for the players, the staff and the entire community and I can’t wait to get started.”

‘Win All Around’

Observed Midge Purce, Gotham FC Forward, “The Gotham leadership has been incredibly intentional in developing a strategy that positions our club amongst the best. I’m really proud to see the club progress in a way that will dramatically impact every player’s experience and career positively. This is a big step and a win all around!”

‘World-class Training Facility’

Exulted Jaelin Howell, Gotham FC Midfielder, “We are so excited for this world-class training facility to be built. This shows how much our club wants to continue to grow in every aspect. We are so grateful to our ownership group for continually investing and supporting us in all the ways we need.”

Key Question:

Should the other NWSL teams follow Gotham FC suit and build community-centered training facilities to help the community grow?

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