Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

New York City FC stadium dream could soon be reality after key vote

Written by Jamie Barton
Last Update: April 12, 2024
Published on

Since they joined the MLS in 2015, the New York City FC stadium issue has been a source of constant frustration for their supporters.

The team have played most of their home games at the New York Yankees’ Yankee Stadium, given that the baseball team own 20 per cent of the soccer club. But it has proven an unsatisfactory home – the layout means a narrow pitch and poor visibility for some fans.

NYCFC have tried on multiple occasions to build a stadium of their own, proposing projects in the Bronx, Upper Manhattan, Belmont Park, Manhattan’s West Side and Flushing Meadows, but none have reached a City Council vote.

However, on Thursday their latest proposal not only reached a City Council vote, but passed it. Suddenly, NYCFC fans are dreaming about a place to call their own.

new york city fc
New York City FC players celebrate a goal against the Portland Timbers at their current home, Yankee Stadium, last month. Photo by Icon Sport

What will the New York City FC stadium be like?

If it does go through, the proposals will be extremely exciting to soccer fans in the Big Apple. The stadium would be based in Willets Point, in Queens, right next to Citi Field, the home of the city’s other MLB team, the New York Mets. It would have a capacity of 25,000.

The stadium would be financed by City Football Group, who also own Manchester City among others. Alongside the stadium, CFG have also pledged to build 1,400 units of “permanently affordable housing”, a hotel, 80,000 square feet of retail space, and 2.8 acres of public space.

Parking space would be available at Citi Field, with the Mets granting approval for fans to use their car parks during events at the new stadium.

The city of New York would still own the land that the stadium is built on, but would lease it to NYCFC for 49 years, with an option for the club to extend the lease by another 25 years.

All in all, the project is expected to cost around $780 million.

Will the New York City FC stadium host games at the 2026 World Cup?

With the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada fast approaching, many fans have been asking whether the new NYCFC stadium will be able to host games at the tournament.

Unfortunately, the stadium is only expected to completed in 2027, and so it will not be ready in time. It will also likely be too small to have been able to host World Cup matches anyway.

What did those in charge say about the New York City FC stadium?

 At a celebration at City Hall after the vote, City Football Group board member Marty Edelman said: “Today is a massive day of celebration for us.”

NYCFC CEO Brad Sims was even more excited, saying: “The dream and promise of our club, I think, since day one—going back 10 years—was to build the first ever soccer specific stadium in New York City within the five boroughs. And we've been resolute about that promise, all the way through and in so it's just very fulfilling to see a day like yesterday come together.”

Mayor Eric Adams, who has been a big proponent of the NYCFC stadium, was also pleased, writing in a statement that “Housing is the goal, and with today’s City Council vote, I’m proud to say that we just scored the goal of the decade.”