NEW YORK – February 2, 2026 — New York City FC has officially embraced a symbol that has long lived in the hearts of its supporters, announcing the debut of the Club’s first-ever mascot: Sky Scraper, affectionately known as Sky.
A pigeon by birth and a New Yorker by spirit, Sky’s elevation from unofficial icon to official mascot feels less like a launch and more like a coronation. For years, pigeons have appeared wherever New York City FC fans gathered — perched on railings, circling pregame tailgates, and woven into supporter chants and artwork. Now, one of their own has taken center stage.
Sky is a young rock dove who grew up in the South Bronx, raised beneath the rumble of the 4 train and in the long shadows cast by Yankee Stadium. Though born into a family of die-hard baseball fans, Sky’s path changed in 2015, when New York City FC kicked off its inaugural season. From that moment on, soccer became home, and the Club became family.
“For years, Sky and their fellow pigeons have shown up wherever our fans are — on matchdays, in the city, and in the culture around this Club,” said Lauren Scrima, Vice President of Marketing at New York City FC. “Sky has been with us since the beginning, cheering us on from the inaugural season through unforgettable moments like our MLS Cup win in 2021. Making Sky our official mascot is both a celebration of that history and a tribute to the incredible fan culture that has grown alongside this Club.”
While pigeons are often misunderstood or dismissed, NYCFC supporters have long reclaimed the bird as a badge of honor — resilient, ever-present, and unapologetically urban. In recognizing Sky as the Club’s official mascot, NYCFC is acknowledging not just a character, but the fans who organically shaped the Club’s identity from day one.
Visually, Sky is unmistakably New York. Their plumage features layered shades of gray, highlighted by an iridescent ring of purple feathers beneath the neck — a fitting nod to the 7 train, the lifeline connecting supporters to the Club’s future home at Etihad Park. Sky frequently sports a New York City FC baseball cap, sturdy work boots favored by city lifers, and a distinctive star-shaped birthmark near their belly button — first noticed shortly after the Club’s unforgettable 2021 MLS Cup triumph.
More than just a costumed presence, Sky embodies the ethos of the Club and the city it represents. Unflappable, proud, and endlessly energetic, Sky reflects the grit and optimism of New York itself — a city that never backs down and never stops believing.
As New York City FC looks toward its next chapter, fans can expect to see Sky bringing passion, personality, and a little New York attitude to matches and community events across all five boroughs. Whether hyping up the crowd on matchday or showing up where supporters live and work, Sky Scraper is ready to soar — officially — with the Club they’ve supported all along.
