The groundbreaking ceremony for Etihad Park, New York’s inaugural professional soccer stadium and the first fully electric stadium in Major League Soccer (MLS), was held by city officials and the New York City Football Club (NYCFC). The privately funded facility is a key component of Mayor Adams’ Willets Point Transformation plan and is expected to be operational for the 2027 MLS season.
“By hosting the 2026 World Cup alongside our neighboring state of New Jersey, this stadium solidifies our position as a top-tier soccer destination on an international level. It also establishes Willets Point as a premier sports hub within our city,” stated Mayor Eric Adams. This area already boasts Citi Field and the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center operated by U.S. Tennis Association.
The construction launch for Etihad Park comes after last December’s commencement of building 880 affordable housing units at Willets Point, with plans to eventually develop up to 2,500 units. Additionally, there will be a hotel with 250 rooms, a public school accommodating up to 650 students, and over forty thousand square feet of open space accessible to all members of the community.
