NYCFC stadium to be named Etihad Park in $780M Queens development

New York City FC has announced that its new $780 million stadium in Queens, set to open in 2027, will be named Etihad Park under a 20-year partnership with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates. The stadium will be located next to Citi Field, home of the New York Mets.

This agreement comes after years of collaboration between Etihad and NYCFC, with the airline serving as the club’s shirt sponsor since 2014. “It’s a 100% New York City FC deal,” said NYCFC President Brad Sims. “Etihad Airways has been essentially our premier partner since Day 1 at the club here.”

The new venue will have a 25,000-seat capacity and is part of the broader Willets Point redevelopment plan, which includes housing, retail, and public facilities. Sims emphasized the strategic importance of the New York market to Etihad, noting the airline’s investment in community initiatives alongside the partnership.

Since its founding in 2015, NYCFC has played home games primarily at Yankee Stadium but has faced scheduling conflicts, leading to occasional games at Citi Field and other venues. The new stadium promises to provide a permanent home for the club, supporting its growing presence in the U.S. soccer scene.

With construction set to begin soon, Sims sees the new facility as a key factor if MLS moves to an August-to-May schedule. “The new stadium would likely be relatively insulated, at least in the early years, just with excitement around the stadium,” Sims said.