Gotham FC and NYCFC Unite to Bring NWSL Champions to Etihad Park.

Roger Hampel

Image: New York City FC

Gotham FC will relocate to Etihad Park in Queens from the 2028 National Women's Soccer League season, following a landmark agreement with New York City FC that gives the reigning NWSL champions a permanent home in New York City's first soccer-specific stadium.

The announcement represents one of the most significant infrastructure developments in the club's history and comes just weeks after Gotham FC unveiled plans for its first dedicated training centre in Whippany, New Jersey.

Together, the two projects signal a long-term investment strategy aimed at strengthening both sporting performance and commercial growth.

Etihad Park To Open In 2027 Gotham

Etihad Park is scheduled to open in spring 2027 as the new home of New York City FC before welcoming Gotham FC the following year.

The 25,000-seat stadium will provide Gotham FC with dedicated facilities, including its own locker room, permanent retail presence and matchday branding tailored specifically to the club. The venue will also host international football matches, Olympic football during the 2028 Games, concerts and other major sporting events.

Infrastructure Strategy Continues to Accelerate

The stadium agreement follows Gotham FC's recent announcement of a 27,000-square-foot performance centre in Whippany, New Jersey, which will focus on high performance, recovery and athlete wellbeing.

Etihad Park has also been designed with accessibility in mind. Located next to the Mets-Willets Point transit station, the stadium will place Gotham FC within a 75-minute public transport journey of more than three million additional people, creating new opportunities to grow attendances and expand the club's supporter base.

The venue will also introduce premium hospitality, dedicated retail locations, digital advertising inventory and permanent commercial assets designed specifically for Gotham FC and its partners.

Season-ticket deposits for the club's inaugural season at Etihad Park have already gone on sale.

Executive Comments

Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, Governor of Gotham FC, described the move as another step in the club's ambition to become one of the world's leading football organisations.

"From day one, our ambition has been bigger than championships. We are building one of the world's most iconic clubs and helping define the future of women’s sports."

She added that world-class players require world-class environments and described Etihad Park as another investment in raising standards across the organisation.

New York City FC Co-Vice Chairman Marty Edelman said the agreement fulfils the original vision behind Etihad Park.

"From the earliest days of planning Etihad Park, our vision was for it to be more than the home of New York City FC."

According to Edelman, the stadium was always intended to become a home for top-level women's football alongside Major League Soccer.

NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman described the announcement as another milestone in the league's evolution, noting that permanent homes strengthen relationships with supporters while making professional women's football more accessible to new audiences.

From a commercial perspective, Gotham FC President of Business Operations Mark Zarthar highlighted the broader business implications of the move.

"This is a pivotal moment that drives our commercial expansion, fan and partner engagement."

He added that Etihad Park provides the foundation for Gotham FC to continue developing as a global football brand.