New York City officials, NYCFC break ground on new soccer stadium in Willets Point
Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Councilmember Francisco Moya, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and NYCFC officially break ground on Etihad Park in Willets Point on Wednesday. Credit: Mayoral Photography Office/Ed Reed
Construction began Wednesday on a $780 million, 25,000-seat soccer stadium next to Citi Field that will serve as the new of home NYCFC in 2027.
City Councilman Francisco Moya said it marked the culmination of a 12-year effort to bring professional soccer to Queens full time.
"This project will forever change the landscape of New York," Moya said Wednesday during a news conference at the site in Willets Point.
The new fully-electric powered stadium, Etihad Park, is set for completion in 2026, about the same time as play begins for the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. It also will give New York City’s Major League Soccer team a permanent home after previously playing at Citi Field and Yankee Stadium.
"That blue color means so much to so many people and how we will continue to bring home a championship to this city," Mayor Eric Adams said at the news conference. "Willets Point is going to be the city’s premiere sports hub. Soccer is here, baseball is here, the U.S. Open is here. This has become the world’s city, where the world’s sport will be played at this stadium."
The project is privately funded through a joint venture by NYCFC and the Queens Development Group, which is made up of developers Related Companies and the Jeff Wilpon-backed Sterling Enterprises. It also includes about $200 million in public funding to add infrastructure and sewers as part of 2,500 planned affordable homes in the Queens neighborhood, officials said.
Construction has started on 1,100 units of the homes. Construction began in December 2023 on 880 apartments units, and 220 affordable units planned for low-income seniors, with completion by the end of 2026.
Additional plans include building another 1,400 housing units, a public school, a 250-room hotel and a "city square" plaza of retail and food.
A groundbreaking ceremony for Etihad Park in Willets Point on Wednesday. Credit: NYC Mayor's Office
Adams called the project the city’s largest for affordable housing in 40 years, including more than 40,000 square-feet of open public space.
The project is expected to pump $6.1 billion in into the local economy over the next 30 years, as well as create 1,550 permanent jobs and more than 14,000 construction jobs, according to the mayor.
In a statement, Don Garber, the commissioner of MLS, said: "This is a historic moment for New York City FC, Major League Soccer, and everyone who has believed in the promise of soccer in America. We’ve always known that a world-class soccer stadium belongs in New York City."
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
