Gotham FC Makes Historic Move to Etihad Park in Queens
The reigning NWSL champions will gain a permanent New York City home in the city’s first soccer-specific stadium.
The Gotham FC Etihad Park move will bring one of the nation’s leading women’s soccer clubs to Queens beginning in 2028. State, city and team officials announced Tuesday that Gotham FC will play its home matches at the new 25,000-seat stadium rising at Willets Point.
The move will give Gotham FC a permanent home inside New York City and place the club near major subway and commuter rail connections. It also represents another major investment in women’s professional sports at a time when attendance, television audiences and sponsorship interest are growing.
Governor Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Gotham FC and New York City FC jointly announced the agreement on July 7. (Governor Kathy Hochul)
Gotham FC Will Begin Playing in Queens in 2028
Gotham FC currently plays its home matches at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. Under the newly announced agreement, the club will move across the Hudson River to Etihad Park for the 2028 season.
Etihad Park is scheduled to open in spring 2027 as the home of Major League Soccer’s New York City FC. Gotham FC will join the stadium one year later.
The venue will be New York City’s first stadium constructed specifically for professional soccer. It is being built near Citi Field, the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and the Mets-Willets Point transit station. (Governor Kathy Hochul)
“New York State is home to some of the world’s greatest sports teams, and we couldn’t be more excited to officially add the reigning NWSL Champions, Gotham FC, to our ranks,” Hochul said in the announcement. (Governor Kathy Hochul)
She said the stadium would provide players and supporters with the type of professional soccer experience they deserve.
Key Details of the Move
The announced plan includes:
- Gotham FC home matches at Etihad Park beginning in 2028
- A permanent team locker room and dedicated club spaces
- Gotham FC merchandise inside the stadium’s team store
- Customized digital signs and video displays on matchdays
- Access through the No. 7 subway, Long Island Rail Road and local bus service
- A stadium capacity of approximately 25,000 spectators
Club officials said the location will place Gotham FC within a 75-minute trip for more than 3 million additional people. That figure is based on access through subway, bus and Long Island Rail Road service. (gothamfc.com)
Why the Gotham FC Etihad Park Move Matters
The announcement is larger than a change of address. It is a sign that women’s professional soccer is being treated as a central part of New York’s sports landscape rather than an occasional attraction.
Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, governor of Gotham FC, said the club’s goals extend beyond winning trophies.
“From day one, our ambition has been bigger than championships,” Blodgett said. “We are building one of the world’s most iconic clubs and helping define the future of women’s sports.” (gothamfc.com)
The organization has won two National Women’s Soccer League championships and recently captured its first continental title. Gotham FC also announced plans to develop a 27,000-square-foot performance center at its existing training site in Whippany, New Jersey. (gothamfc.com)
Together, the stadium move and training-center project represent what the club described as its largest infrastructure expansion to date.
A Visible Investment in Women’s Sports
For decades, many women’s professional teams played in venues designed for other sports or relied on temporary arrangements. The Gotham FC Etihad Park agreement gives the team dedicated facilities inside a modern soccer stadium.
That matters for several reasons:
- Players receive permanent professional facilities.
- Supporters gain a consistent matchday destination.
- Sponsors receive greater branding and hospitality opportunities.
- Young athletes see women competing in a major New York City venue.
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman called the move another milestone in the league’s growth. She said accessible, permanent homes can strengthen relationships with existing supporters while helping clubs reach new fans. (gothamfc.com)
Etihad Park Will Anchor a New Queens Sports District
Etihad Park is under construction at Willets Point, across from Citi Field. The neighborhood is being redeveloped with housing, public space, retail activity and transportation access.
The stadium will be funded privately by City Football Group and built with union labor, according to the governor’s office and the two soccer clubs. Officials also describe it as the nation’s first all-electric outdoor sports stadium. (Governor Kathy Hochul)
Among the planned stadium features are:
- A seven-story LED entrance known as “The Cube”
- A supporters’ gathering area of more than 9,000 square feet
- A 400-square-foot outdoor video screen
- A food hall featuring businesses and cuisines from all five boroughs
- Modern digital boards throughout the seating and concourse areas
The stadium is also expected to host international matches, concerts and other sporting events. Organizers say men’s and women’s soccer matches connected with the 2028 Olympic Games are planned for the venue. (Governor Kathy Hochul)
Supporters Will Gain Better Transit Access
Transportation may be one of the most important benefits of the Gotham FC Etihad Park move.
The stadium will be steps from the Mets-Willets Point station, which serves the No. 7 subway and Long Island Rail Road. Several bus routes also serve the area.
Mayor Mamdani said the move will allow young people from neighborhoods such as Jackson Heights, Jamaica and the South Bronx to take public transportation to watch leading women’s players.
“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,” Mamdani said. (Governor Kathy Hochul)
He also argued that matches could bring more business to restaurants, hotels and other establishments.
That economic promise should still be judged carefully. Major sports developments can attract visitors and spending, but the benefits often depend on hiring practices, local purchasing, ticket prices and whether neighborhood residents can afford to attend.
Questions About Affordability and New Jersey Ties
The announcement has received strong support from public officials and soccer executives, but the move also raises fair questions.
Will Matches Remain Affordable?
A modern stadium can improve the fan experience, but it can also lead to higher prices for tickets, food and premium seating.
Gotham FC said deposits for its first Etihad Park season begin at $28. Final ticket prices and additional season-ticket details will be released later. (gothamfc.com)
The club will need to balance revenue growth with the goal of keeping women’s soccer accessible to families and young supporters.
What Happens to the Club’s New Jersey Supporters?
Gotham FC grew out of Sky Blue FC and has deep roots in New Jersey. Moving home matches to Queens may make travel easier for many New Yorkers while creating a longer trip for some longtime New Jersey supporters.
The team will maintain an important New Jersey presence through its Whippany training facility. Club officials also credited supporters on both sides of the Hudson for helping build the organization.
A successful transition will require the team to welcome new fans without treating longtime New Jersey supporters as an afterthought.
The Move Could Inspire the Next Generation
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said the stadium will give generations of young girls the opportunity to watch leading professional players close to home.
The symbolic value is difficult to measure, but it is real. A child entering a packed stadium to watch women compete at the highest level receives a clear message: women’s sports belong on major stages.
The state is also connecting the announcement to its NY Kicks program, which is intended to support youth soccer fields in communities across New York.
The enacted state budget includes $5 million in capital funding for soccer-field construction and improvements, along with $1 million for equipment, training and related programming. (Governor Kathy Hochul)
The connection between a professional stadium in Queens and youth fields across the state will depend on how effectively those grants are distributed. Still, the broader message is important: investment at the professional level should be matched by access at the neighborhood level.
A Defining New Chapter for New York Soccer
The Gotham FC Etihad Park agreement gives the reigning NWSL champions a permanent stage in the nation’s largest city. It also places a successful women’s team beside an MLS club in a stadium built specifically for soccer.
The arrangement could expand attendance, strengthen the club’s financial future and inspire more young people to enter the sport.
But the measure of success should go beyond the stadium’s size or its video screens. Success will also depend on affordable tickets, reliable transit, community investment and respect for the supporters who helped Gotham FC grow.
New Yorkers should celebrate this important step while continuing to ask who benefits, who gains access and how the investment can strengthen women’s soccer at every level.
When Gotham FC takes the field in Queens in 2028, the club will not simply enter a new stadium. It will carry the hopes of a growing league, a loyal regional fan base and a generation of young athletes waiting to see what is possible.
Sources
- New York State Governor’s Office announcement, July 7, 2026. (Governor Kathy Hochul)
- Gotham FC official announcement, July 7, 2026. (gothamfc.com)
- New York City FC official announcement, July 7, 2026. (New York City FC)
