December 4, 2024
Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqNwyXFi1PM
<a href="https://www.archyde.com/nycfcs-stadium-dream-takes-a-leap-forward-with-unveiling-of-distinctive-design-element/" title="NYCFC's Stadium Dream Takes a Leap Forward with Unveiling of Distinctive Design Element”>Willets Point Transformation Includes 2,500 Affordable Homes, 250-key Hotel, 1,500 Permanent Jobs, 14,200 Construction Jobs, and 650-Student Public School
NYCFC Will Fully Finance and Build New York City’s First Professional Soccer-Specific and Fully Electric Stadium, Projected to Open for 2027 Season
New York – New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Councilmember Francisco Moya, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and the New York City Football Club (NYCFC) today officially broke ground on Etihad Park, New York’s first professional soccer-specific stadium and Major League Soccer’s (MLS) first fully-electric stadium across the nation. In addition to the stadium – which will be operational by the 2027 MLS season and is being entirely privately financed by NYCFC – this project will also deliver retail, food and beverage facilities, office space, and “City Square,” a plaza for community uses and events. The stadium is one piece of Mayor Adams’ Willets Point Transformation, which will deliver 2,500 affordable homes – the city’s largest 100 percent affordable new housing project in 40 years – over 40,000 square feet of public open space, a 250-key hotel, a 650-seat public school, and neighborhood-serving, ground-floor retail shops that will create good-paying jobs for community residents. In December 2023, Mayor Adams and city officials broke ground on the first 880 units of affordable housing, expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The next round of affordable homes to be built as part of Phase 1 are 220 units designated for low-income seniors.
“Today, we are breaking ground on Etihad Park – our city’s first-ever soccer-specific stadium – for NYCFC to call home and finally deliver New Yorkers the soccer stadium they deserve,” said Mayor Adams. “Along with cohosting the 2026 World Cup with New Jersey, this stadium puts us on the map as a world-class soccer destination, and it makes Willets Point the city’s premier sports hub
* What other developments are planned for the area surrounding Etihad Park?
## A New Era for Soccer in NYC: Etihad Park Breaks Ground
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we have a very exciting guest joining us to discuss a groundbreaking development in the world of New York City sports. Joining us is [Guest Name], a [Guest’s Title/Expertise related to NYCFC or the Willets Point project]. Welcome to the show.
**Guest:** Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:** Let’s talk about Etihad Park. This isn’t just a new stadium; it’s part of a much larger revitalization project in Willets Point. Can you tell us about the broader vision for this area?
**Guest:** Absolutely. The Etihad Park project is truly transformative. Beyond the state-of-the-art soccer stadium, we’re talking about 2,500 affordable housing units, a 250-key hotel, a 650-student public school, and 1,500 permanent jobs created once the project is complete. We’re looking at a total of 14,200 construction jobs during the development phase [[1](https://newyorkyimby.com/2024/11/new-renderings-revealed-for-nycfcs-etihad-park-at-126-87-willets-point-boulevard-in-willets-point-queens.html)]. It’s an ambitious project designed to breathe new life into Willets Point and create a thriving community hub.
**Interviewer:** And this stadium itself, Etihad Park, it’s going to be historic, right?
**Guest:** It’s groundbreaking in more ways than one. Not only will it be the first professional soccer-specific stadium in New York City, but it’ll also be the first fully electric stadium in MLS history. This commitment to sustainability is a defining feature of the project.
**Interviewer:** That’s incredible. When can we expect to see this stadium up and running?
**Guest:** The plan is to have Etihad Park ready for the 2027 season. There’s a lot of work to be done, but the groundbreaking today was a major milestone and a testament to the dedication of everyone involved.
**Interviewer:** Fantastic. For our viewers who want to learn more about the Etihad Park project, where can they find information?
**Guest:** The NYCFC website and social media channels are excellent resources for updates on the project.
**Interviewer:** Wonderful. We’ll be sure to follow along with the progress. Thank you so much for joining us today, [Guest Name].
**Guest:** My pleasure.
