​The reigning National Women’s Soccer League champions, Gotham FC, have announced plans to make Etihad Park in Queens their permanent home beginning with the 2028 season. The new soccer-specific stadium, slated to open in the spring of 2027, will be the first venue in New York City built specifically for soccer. In addition to serving Gotham FC, the stadium will also host home matches for Major League Soccer’s New York City FC.
The announcement came during a news conference in New York City, with New York Governor Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Gotham FC executives in attendance. Gotham FC, who captured the 2023 NWSL title, currently splits its operations between New Jersey and New York. The club conducts its training sessions in Whippany, New Jersey, and hosts its home games at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.
New York City FC is scheduled to begin playing at Etihad Park at the start of the 2027 MLS season, following the stadium’s spring 2027 opening. Gotham FC will then move in as the stadium’s permanent tenant beginning with the 2028 NWSL season.
Etihad Park is being constructed adjacent to Citi Field in Queens and will have a seating capacity of about 25,000. The facility will include dedicated amenities for Gotham FC, such as a private locker room and exclusive retail space. Beyond league play, Etihad Park is expected to host a range of major international soccer events, including both men’s and women’s competitions during the 2028 Summer Olympics.
“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.
This coverage originally appeared in the Rockland/Westchester Journal News, highlighting Gotham FC’s move to Queens as a strategic step toward stronger regional presence and better long-term stability for the club. The plan underscores the city’s and state’s commitment to expanding soccer infrastructure while aligning with New York’s broader Olympic ambitions and the growth of both MLS and NWSL in the region.