New York City FC has officially broken ground on Etihad Park, a $780 million state-of-the-art soccer stadium in Willets Point, Queens. 

The highly anticipated project, developed in partnership with Turner Construction Company, will become New York City’s first-ever professional soccer-specific stadium and the first fully electric stadium in Major League Soccer.

With a planned capacity of 25,000 seats and spanning 610,000 square feet, the facility is expected to transform Willets Point into a major sports and entertainment hub. It is set to open in time for the 2027 MLS season, giving NYCFC its long-awaited permanent home after years of playing at Yankee Stadium.

NYCFC Vice Chairman Marty Edelman emphasized the significance of the project during the groundbreaking ceremony. “New York City FC committed ten years ago to build New York City’s first-ever, soccer-specific stadium in the five boroughs, and today’s groundbreaking of Etihad Park in Willets Point, Queens, brings us one step closer to delivering that promise to our fans and our city,” he said.

Etihad Park is expected to be more than just a stadium. The project will feature a City Square, a public plaza designed for community gatherings, along with retail, dining, and office spaces. The goal is to create a vibrant destination that will attract both soccer fans and local residents.

One of the most groundbreaking aspects of Etihad Park is its commitment to sustainability. It will be the first fully electric stadium in Major League Soccer, powered by rooftop photovoltaic panels and designed with an advanced water reuse system to irrigate the playing field. These features align with NYC’s broader push for greener, more sustainable infrastructure.

Additionally, the stadium’s design, created by renowned architecture firm HOK, includes a striking seven-story LED-lit entrance, known as “The Cube.” This feature is expected to become an iconic landmark within the city’s sports landscape.

For Willets Point, long known as a heavily industrialized area, the development of Etihad Park marks a major step in its transformation. Over the past decade, Queens officials have worked to revitalize the neighborhood, and this stadium project is a centerpiece of those efforts.

“Etihad Park will stand as a landmark for soccer enthusiasts and a cornerstone for the Willets Point community,” said Charles Whitney, Vice President and General Manager at Turner Construction Company. “We deeply appreciate the collaboration with New York City FC, HOK, and our trade partners, and we’re committed to building a facility that reflects the spirit and energy of New York.”

The construction of Etihad Park comes at a time when soccer is experiencing a surge in popularity across the United States. According to a recent report, the number of self-identified new soccer fans grew by 400% year-over-year.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to be hosted in North America and New York City being one of the host cities, interest in the sport is at an all-time high. The arrival of global soccer stars in the MLS, such as Lionel Messi playing for Inter Miami, has only fueled excitement for the league.

For NYCFC, this project is the culmination of a 10-year journey to secure a permanent home. Since its debut in the MLS in 2015, the club has played most of its home matches at Yankee Stadium, an arrangement that was always considered temporary.

Now, with Etihad Park under construction, the team and its supporters can look forward to a stadium built specifically for soccer, designed to enhance the game-day experience with more than 40 private suites, three exclusive clubs, and world-class facilities.

While construction is still in its early stages, excitement is building for what will become one of the most advanced soccer stadiums in the U.S. Once completed, Etihad Park is expected to boost local businesses, create job opportunities, and cement Queens as a key destination for soccer in America.