NYCFC new stadium: Cost, capacity, open date for Willets Point soccer-specific project near Citi Field

Kyle Bonn

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NYCFC new stadium: Cost, capacity, open date for Willets Point soccer-specific project near Citi Field image

NYCFC fans can get a little more excited about the dream of finally having a brand new soccer-specific stadium to call home.

Currently in the midst of the complicated Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) process, the proposed Willets Point stadium has passed a key juncture in the overall procedure, according to the club.

Along with the news, NYCFC got the juices flowing a bit more with renderings of the proposed venue and its surroundings.

The Sporting News has all the key details of the project, how much it will cost, when it's expected to finish, and what it will look like.

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Where is NYCFC new stadium?

The proposed new NYCFC stadium will be at Willets Point, which is just across the street from the Mets stadium Citi Field in Queens.

Since its inception into the league in 2015, NYCFC has been playing its home games at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. However, their current home was meant to be temporary while they sort out a home venue.

Having resided at Yankee Stadium longer than anticipated, NYCFC has received criticism from fans and media for their stadium situation, which comes with a number of difficult circumstances. The pitch fits oddly inside a baseball stadium, while scheduling conflicts with Yankees games and concerts have forced them to relocate to Connecticut or New Jersey on a few occasions.

How much will new NYCFC stadium cost?

The entire proposed Willets Point project does not have a total anticipated cost, but the stadium is expected to run NYCFC around $780 million.

This includes the 25,000 seat soccer-specific venue, plus affordable housing, pedestrian-friendly streets, retail and food shops, a school, a hotel, and 40,000 feet of public space.

NYCFC's official release on the project states that the proposal will create 16,500 jobs, add $6 billion to the city's economy, and "transform Willets Point, Queens into the city's largest all-affordable housing community in 40 years."

The release also claims that the project will be entirely privately funded.

When will new NYCFC stadium open?

The recent public review approval of the Willets Point stadium project has the venue currently on track for opening at the start of the 2027 MLS season.

According to that timeline, it means NYCFC would play three more seasons at Yankee Stadium before the new home is ready.

The full review process is expected to last through the spring of 2024, at which point plans can begin on how to proceed with construction. There's plenty of political jockeying to get through, as evident by the recent logjam instituted by Queens borough president Donovan Richards who threatened to back the project up if he didn't get New York City mayor Eric Adams to come around on an unrelated issue.

How many seats will new NYCFC stadium have?

The new Willets Point stadium for NYCFC is set to include approximately 25,000 seats.

It would be New York City's first-ever soccer-specific stadium. The New York Red Bulls, NCYFC's chief derby rival, play at Red Bull Arena which is located in Harrison, NJ, a suburb of New York City but not within the city limits, or even the same state.

Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.