Gotham FC is heading to New York.
The two-time reigning National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) champions announced Tuesday that the club will move its home matches to New York City FC’s Etihad Park in Queens beginning in 2028, giving Gotham a permanent home in New York City’s first soccer-specific stadium.
The move marks a major step in Gotham’s continued growth as the club looks to establish itself as one of the premier organizations in women’s soccer. The club has won two NWSL championships in the last three seasons, captured its first continental title and recently announced plans for a new performance center in Whippany, New Jersey.
“From day one, our ambition has been bigger than championships,” Gotham FC Governor Carolyn Tisch Blodgett said. “We are building one of the world’s most iconic clubs and helping define the future of women’s sports. Our move to Etihad Park reflects that ambition.”
Etihad Park is scheduled to open in spring 2027 and will become the home of New York City FC beginning with the 2027-28 MLS season. The 25,000-seat stadium will sit next to Citi Field in the Willets Point sports corridor and will host both MLS and NWSL matches, as well as international soccer events and concerts.
For Gotham, the move represents the club’s latest investment in infrastructure after spending years sharing venues across New Jersey and New York. The club currently plays home matches at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.
“Moving into Etihad Park is a defining moment for this organization,” Gotham FC President of Soccer Operations Yael Averbuch West said. “Our players compete at the highest level in the world every single time they step on the pitch, and our matchday will reflect that standard.”
The stadium will feature dedicated spaces for Gotham FC, including a team locker room and merchandise locations inside the New York City FC team store. The venue will also include The Cube, a seven-story LED gateway, a 9,000-square-foot supporters’ area and the Five Boroughs Food Hall featuring local businesses from across New York City.
The location will also provide increased accessibility for Gotham supporters, with Etihad Park located near the Mets-Willets Point transit station, which connects to the 7 train and Long Island Rail Road. The club said the stadium will connect Gotham to more than 3 million additional people within a 75-minute commute.
New York City FC Co-Vice Chairman Marty Edelman said the stadium was always intended to be a home for soccer at every level.
“From the earliest days of planning Etihad Park, our vision was for it to be more than the home of New York City FC,” Edelman said. “We set out to create a venue that would bring the world’s game to the world’s borough and showcase soccer at the highest level, including women’s soccer.”
The announcement comes as Gotham continues to build momentum both on and off the field. The club revealed in June that it would transform its existing Whippany training facility into a 27,000-square-foot performance center focused on player development, recovery and athlete wellness.
Gotham defender and captain Tierna Davidson said the stadium move reflects the club’s commitment to providing players with the resources needed to compete at the highest level.
“Our move to New York City is a statement by our club leadership that they know we have something special at Gotham FC, and they are committed to ensuring we have the resources and environments to support our continued success,” Davidson said.
Midfielder Rose Lavelle said the move, along with Gotham’s upcoming training facility, represents another major step in the club’s evolution.
“This club has such a special group of people and such amazing fans, and this move, along with the new training center, is a big step in our journey together,” Lavelle said. “As a player, you want to play in world-class facilities that feel like home, and it’ll be really exciting to do that in New York City at Etihad Park.”
Longtime Gotham defender Mandy Freeman, who has been with the club for more than a decade dating back to its Sky Blue FC era, said the move represents how far the organization has come.
“To know where we started and see where we are going now is really special,” Freeman said. “This move reflects what this club has become.”
Gotham supporters can begin placing season ticket deposits for the club’s inaugural season at Etihad Park starting Tuesday. Existing season ticket members who renew for the 2027 season will retain priority access for 2028.
The club’s first glimpse of its future home will come next Wednesday when Gotham hosts the Washington Spirit at Citi Field for The Queens Classic, presented by CarMax, with more than 40,000 fans expected for the NWSL Championship rematch.
