A new era for professional soccer in the New York metropolitan area officially begins in 2028.
Gotham FC and New York City FC jointly announced Tuesday that the reigning National Women’s Soccer League champions will move into Etihad Park in Queens beginning with the 2028 NWSL season. The agreement makes Gotham FC the first professional women’s club to call New York City’s first soccer-specific stadium home, marking another major milestone in the continued growth of women’s soccer in the United States.
The move comes during one of the most successful periods in Gotham FC history. Fresh off capturing its second NWSL championship in three seasons and its first continental title, the club has continued investing heavily in its future. In addition to the stadium announcement, Gotham FC recently unveiled plans for a dedicated training facility in Whippany, New Jersey, further demonstrating the organization’s commitment to creating world-class resources for its players.
Etihad Park, which is scheduled to open in the spring of 2027, will become home to New York City FC before Gotham FC joins the following season. The 25,000-seat venue, located adjacent to Citi Field in Willets Point, is designed specifically for soccer and will also host international matches, concerts and Olympic soccer during the 2028 Summer Games. The stadium will feature dedicated locker rooms for Gotham FC, customized branding throughout the venue, modern hospitality spaces and state-of-the-art digital displays to create a unique matchday atmosphere for supporters.
Accessibility also played a significant role in the decision. Club officials noted that Etihad Park will place more than three million additional people within a 75-minute commute via the New York City subway system, Long Island Rail Road and bus network, making it substantially easier for supporters across the region to attend matches.
Club leadership emphasized that the move represents more than simply changing venues.
“Our ambition has been bigger than championships,” said Gotham FC Governor Carolyn Tisch Blodgett. “We are building one of the world’s most iconic clubs.” That vision was echoed by New York City FC leadership, who explained that Etihad Park was always intended to become more than just the home of NYCFC, but a destination capable of showcasing the highest levels of both men’s and women’s professional soccer.
The announcement also received praise from elected officials, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who highlighted both the economic impact and the importance of giving young players throughout the city easier access to one of the world’s premier women’s soccer clubs.
For supporters, preparations have already begun. Gotham FC has opened season-ticket deposits for the inaugural 2028 campaign at Etihad Park, while current season-ticket holders who renew for the 2027 season will receive priority access when seat selection begins.
As women’s soccer continues its rapid growth both domestically and internationally, Gotham FC’s move into a permanent, purpose-built soccer stadium represents another significant investment in the future of the sport. Together with the club’s new training center, the transition to Etihad Park signals that Gotham FC intends not only to remain among the NWSL’s elite but to establish itself as one of the premier women’s clubs in the world.
