The Major League Soccer (MLS) team New York City FC installed the final steel beam at their future home – the Etihad Park in Queens, New York City (US) – finishing construction of the stadium’s structural frame.
‘NEW YORK CITY FOOTBALL CLUB’ stated that despite an extraordinarily harsh Winter the installation of the final steel beam was completed on schedule bringing the New York City FC’s promise to build New York City’s first-ever soccer-specific stadium closer to reality. The club will begin playing matches at the Etihad Park in the 2027-2028 MLS seasons more than a decade after their MLS debut.
Commented Thomas J. Grech, President-cum-CEO, Queens Chamber of Commerce, “We’re proud to see the world’s game finding a permanent home in the world’s borough. The Etihad Park represents more than a stadium – it’s a powerful investment in our local economy creating good-paying jobs and catalyzing economic activity that will continue to support the small businesses across Queens. This location in the heart of the most diverse place on Earth further solidifies Queens as the new destination in NYC. From construction to gameday operations this project is delivering real economic impact for our communities and helping ensure Queens continues to grow as a global destination.”
The New York City Football Club is an American professional soccer club based in New York City (US). The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference.
The 28,743-capacity Yankee Stadium is a baseball stadium located in Bronx in New York City, United States. It is the home field of the Major League Baseball (MLB) team New York Yankees and the Major League Soccer (MLS) team New York City FC.
The 25,000-capacity Etihad Park is a soccer-specific stadium under construction in the Willets Point neighborhood of Queens, New York City (US). The stadium is the future home of the New York City FC of Major League Soccer (MLS) who currently play their home games at the Yankee Stadium in Bronx and the 45,000-capacity Citi Field across the street in Queens.
‘NEW YORK CITY FOOTBALL CLUB’ further stated that the topping out ceremony celebrated this historic moment and honored the all-union construction crew whose work has brought the New York City FC’s vision for the Etihad Park to life.
A tree was placed on top of the beam and raised with it as part of a centuries-old tradition of placing a tree at the highest point of a structure to symbolize growth, resilience and good fortune for the building and the people who gather there.
The New York City FC was joined by the elected officials, the union leaders, the hundreds of construction workers, the fans, and the community members.
Maintained Marty Edelman, New York City FC Co-Vice-Chairman, “The above development is not just a marker of construction progress, it is the realization of a vision that will shape the future of this club and the sport in New York City for generations. Thanks to the extraordinary work of our all-union construction teams and partners that vision is becoming reality. We look forward to welcoming our fans to the Etihad Park for the first time next Summer and to marking the beginning of a new era for the New York City FC.”
Added the Mayor of New York City Zohran Kwame Mamdani, “Today (March 25th) marks an important milestone towards finally giving the New York soccer fans our own stadium. I want to thank all of the workers who have gotten us to this point. The Etihad Park represents more than just a soccer stadium – it’s the type of project we want to see: Fully electric and union-made by and for the New Yorkers.”
Said Brad Sims, New York City FC head honcho, “The installation of the final beam at the Etihad Park marks a poignant milestone for the entire New York City FC community, especially for our fans who have been waiting years for their own stadium. After nearly a decade of searching for the right place to build a home for our club we’re proud to celebrate the remarkable progress made in such a short time.”
The Etihad Park’s construction is being privately financed by the New York City FC and constructed with 100 percent union labor. The 25,000-seat stadium will be the first fully electric outdoor stadium in the United States and remains on schedule to open for the 2027-2028 MLS seasons.
The Major League Soccer (MLS) is a professional soccer league in North America and the highest level of the United States soccer league system. It comprises 30 teams with 27 in the United States and three (3) in Canada. The MLS is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada. The league is headquartered in New York City.
The Etihad Park is part of the broader Willets Point Redevelopment projected to generate $6.1 billion in economic impact and will deliver 2,500 affordable homes – the largest 100 percent affordable housing project in New York City in 40 years – a 650-seat public school, a 250-key hotel, over 40,000 square feet of public open space, 1,550 permanent jobs, and 14,200 construction jobs.
Observed Don Garber, MLS Commissioner, “The Etihad Park represents everything we envisioned for soccer in the largest market in the United States – a world-class, fan-first stadium that will elevate the New York City FC and Major League Soccer. This is a transformational project that will be a cathedral for the sport, an anchor in the city’s sports landscape and an inspiration for the next generation of players and fans across New York.”
Stated Shanel Thomas-Henry, New York City Council Member, “Welcoming the State’s first soccer stadium to our backyard is a powerful signal of what’s possible when development is done with community intention and impact in mind. This project will bring new opportunities for our neighbors, support the local small businesses and strengthen the economic engine that makes Queens, the World’s Borough, so dynamic.”
Explained Jeff Blau, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Related Companies, and Scott Wilpon, Partner, Sterling Equities, on behalf of the Queens Development Group, “The Willets Point is one of the most rapidly growing neighborhoods in New York City and a once-in-a-generation investment in Queens that will deliver thousands of affordable homes, new jobs, public green space, a new public school, and more. As we move one step closer to welcoming the first residents this Spring we are proud to celebrate this key milestone for Etihad Park, the City’s first professional soccer-specific stadium.”
Averred Toby Ann Stavisky, New York State Senator, “Queens is the most diverse county in the United States and now it will be home to a world-class soccer stadium. This ceremony is an exciting milestone for the families, the small businesses and the communities in Queens who will benefit from the jobs and economic activity this project brings.”
Opined Sandra Ung, New York City Council Deputy Leader, “This topping-out ceremony marks an exciting milestone not only for the New York City FC but for Queens and our entire city. The Etihad Park is more than a stadium, it represents years of commitment, the strength of organized labor and a vision for what thoughtful development can achieve. I look forward to the day when fans fill this stadium and contribute to the economic growth of our borough. Congratulations to everyone who made this milestone possible, especially the hardworking men and women who quite literally built this vision from the ground up.”
Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.
Become a member of the only Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and experts from around the world. Apply for membership at coliseum-online.com/alliance and make use of the 365Coliseum Business.