National Womens Soccer League (NWSL) champions Gotham FC will play their home matches at New York City FC’s new Etihad Park stadium in Queens starting in the 2028 season.
Yahoo Sports said the club’s initial lease at the venue will run for five years, with options to extend it up to 15 years.
A 25,000-capacity venue, Etihad Park will feature custom spaces for Gotham FC, including the team’s own locker room and club merchandise positions in the New York City FC team store.
Etihad Park’s state-of-the-art LED signage and digital videoboards throughout the bowl and concourses will create a matchday that is unmistakably and exclusively Gotham FC’s own, with high-impact branding opportunities for Gotham FC and its partners.
Gotham has played at the 25,000-seat Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ since 2021.
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.
Gotham announced plans last month to invest $35 million into the club’s first dedicated training facility in Whippany, NJ, maintaining the club’s original connection to the Garden state.
The new stadium will make home games accessible to more than 3 million additional people within a 75-minute public transportation commute.
The move marks a defining moment in Gotham FC’s evolution, giving one of the world’s leading women’s clubs a matchday environment that reflects its ambitions and provides supporters with a world-class experience.
The agreement manifests a shared vision between Gotham FC and New York City FC to establish New York as a home of world-class professional soccer.
It also highlights Gotham FC’s commitment to elite environments and accessible fan experiences, with Etihad Park connecting the club to more than 3 million additional people within a 75-minute commute via MTA bus and subway and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).
Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, the Governor of Gotham FC said, “From day one, our ambition has been bigger than championships.
“We are building one of the world’s most iconic clubs and helping define the future of women’s sports. Our move to Etihad Park reflects that ambition, and we are deeply grateful to New York City FC for their vision and commitment to helping make this historic moment possible.
“World-class athletes deserve world-class environments, and this move allows us to keep raising the standard for our players, supporters and the game itself. Gotham FC is showing what is possible when you invest boldly in women’s soccer, and we are committed to building an experience worthy of the fans who have believed in this club from the beginning.”
Gotham said the move reflects New York City FC and City Football Group’s continued commitment to investing in New York City and advancing the growth of soccer across the five boroughs.
From the outset, the vision for Etihad Park has been to create a world-class home for the game, including women’s professional soccer at the highest level. With Gotham FC making Etihad Park its new home, that vision has become a reality.
Marty Edelman, New York City FC Co-Vice Chairman, said, “From the earliest days of planning Etihad Park, our vision was for it to be more than the home of New York City FC.
“We set out to create a venue that would bring the world’s game to the world’s borough and showcase soccer at the highest level, including women’s soccer. Welcoming Gotham FC to Etihad Park is an important step in delivering on that promise and building a world-class home for the game in New York City.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani said, “Bringing Gotham FC to Queens means that the young girl kicking a ball around Jackson Heights, Jamaica or the South Bronx will be able to take the train and watch some of the best players in the world in her own city.
“It means more customers for neighborhood restaurants, more visitors filling our hotels and, most importantly, a permanent home for world-class women’s soccer in the greatest city in the world.”
Etihad Park stadium
Etihad Park will be New York City’s first soccer-specific stadium, opening in spring 2027. New York City FC will start play at Etihad Park with the beginning of the 2027-28 MLS season in July 2027, with Gotham FC set to begin play in 2028.
In addition to MLS and NWSL matches, Etihad Park will host major international soccer events, including men’s and women’s Olympic soccer matches in 2028, as well as international friendlies, concerts and other sporting events.
Among its many perks, Etihad Park features The Cube, a seven-story LED gateway welcoming fans; a 9,000-plus-square-foot Supporters Porch outdoor gathering area with seating, 400-square-foot LED display, dedicated tap bar and various food offerings; and the Five Boroughs Food Hall, which will showcase local small businesses representing cuisines from each of New York City’s boroughs.
Etihad Park is steps away from the Mets-Willets Point transit station serving the 7 train and LIRR. The stadium will be the country’s first all-electric outdoor sports venue, 100% privately funded by City Football Group, and is proudly being built entirely by union labor.
Etihad Park is located next to Citi Field in the rapidly growing and historic Willets Point sports corridor, a stone’s throw from the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Jessica Berman, Commissioner, National Women’s Soccer League, said, “Gotham FC’s move to Etihad Park is another milestone in the continued evolution of our league.
“As our clubs create permanent homes that are both world-class and easily accessible, they are strengthening the connection with existing supporters while making it easier for new fans to experience the excitement of the NWSL firsthand.
“This announcement reflects Gotham FC’s ambition, reinforces New York’s role as one of the world’s premier soccer markets, and demonstrates how infrastructure can help grow the game for generations to come.”
Continue following Coliseum for the latest updates on sports venues, stadiums and arena business news worldwide.
Coliseum is dedicated to building a global community of sports and entertainment venue professionals helping create better and more profitable venues.
Become a member of the Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and industry experts from around the world. Apply for membership through the Global Sports Venue Alliance and access the 365Coliseum Business platform.