The $780 million New York Etihad Park Stadium is on schedule for 2027 completion with stadium seats installation underway. Based in Queens, construction crews are steadily assembling Etihad Park that is set to host 25,000 fans once operational. Moreover, it will be permanent home of New York City FC when it opens for the 2027 Major League Soccer season.
The venue will be the first soccer-specific stadium ever built within New York City’s five boroughs. It is also Major League Soccer’s first fully electric stadium. Designing of the stadium is by HOK with Turner Construction Company serving as construction manager and general contractor. The privately financed project serves as a centerpiece of a much larger redevelopment effort planned for Willets Point.
Carlo DiSilvestro, vice president and senior operations manager at Turner Construction, said projects like this carry a different weight. “Whenever you’re building something monumental — stadiums, hospitals, schools, places where people gather — those projects are always special to build,” he said. Other MLS stadium projects that are currently underway includes Chicago Fire’s McDonald’s park stadium project which is also advancing to final stages.
Scope of Implementation on the New York Etihad Park Stadium
The vision of the New York Etihad Park stadium is no longer in paper. Crews are steadily building the stadium as carpenters install stadium seating, construction suites and interior spaces, and handling drywall and framing work. Moreover, more than 300 union carpenters are currently on site. “We’re proud because it’s the first soccer stadium ever built in New York City and the five boroughs,” added Phillip Fiorentino, senior trustee to the NYC District Council of Carpenters.
He also noted that as construction advances, workforce numbers fluctuate through different phases of construction and reaching roughly 350 at peak periods. The venue will feature steep seating intended to bring fans closer to the action.
It also aims to create the louder, tighter atmosphere associated with some of the world’s most celebrated soccer venues. Plans also include a seven-story glass-and-LED entry feature known as “The Cube”, designed as a dramatic front door to the stadium experience. The stadium is helping anchor a much broader transformation of Willets Point. The larger redevelopment surrounding the project includes 2,500 affordable housing units, a public school, retail space and new public open space.
Project Factsheet:
- Project Name: Etihad Park Stadium
- Location: Willets Point, Queens, New York, USA
- Estimated Investment Value: $780 Million
- Project Type: Soccer-Specific Stadium Development
Timeline
- Construction currently underway
- Stadium seat installation phase in progress
- Peak workforce deployment ongoing through 2026
- Opening scheduled for the 2027 Major League Soccer season
Site & Scale
- Capacity of approximately 25,000 spectators
- First soccer-specific stadium within New York City’s five boroughs
- Major League Soccer’s first fully electric stadium
- Anchors the wider Willets Point redevelopment district
Key Stakeholders
- Owner and future tenant: New York City FC
- Architect: HOK
- Construction manager and general contractor: Turner Construction Company
- Workforce support: NYC District Council of Carpenters
Infrastructure Scope
- Construction of a 25,000-seat soccer-specific stadium
- Installation of seating, suites, and interior fit-outs
- Seven-story glass-and-LED entrance feature known as “The Cube”
- Steep seating design intended to enhance fan experience and stadium atmosphere
Strategic Objectives
- Provide a permanent home for New York City FC
- Deliver the first dedicated soccer stadium in New York City
- Establish a fully electric, sustainable sports venue
- Support the long-term revitalization of the Willets Point area
Current Status
- Construction remains on schedule for 2027 completion
- Stadium seating, drywall, framing, and interior works are advancing
- More than 300 union carpenters currently working on site
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