A peek inside the Etihad Park construction site in Queens

Last week, New York City FC invited members of the media to visit the construction site of Etihad Park, the stadium set to open in 2027, ahead of the game vs Inter Miami. Journalists assembled outside of what will be the west stand, where we put on high-visibility vests, steel-toed boots, and safety helmets. The media were then led through an hour-long tour of the site by Brad Sims, CEO of New York City FC, Jennifer O'Sullivan, COO of New York City FC, and Jon Stemp, Chief Infrastructure Officer of City Football Group.

Earlier this month, Sims told us at the media roundtable held at the corporate headquarters in Midtown Manhattan that he "couldn't be happier" with how the stadium is going. "It's always just updates about how everything is going, you know, better than anticipated," he said. "Like, they were planning on installing 30 pieces of steel a day, and we've been doing 50 on average. Every day it's good news and no bad news."

What the media saw at the construction site was, indeed, good news. The west stand closest to Citi Field is the most complete, with cinderblock corridors leading from the player locker rooms to the Tunnel Club, the dedicated restaurant for the stadium's choicest suites — at game time, the players will walk through the restaurant to take the field. The steel framing for the Supporters' Stand to the north is nearing completion, with precast concrete stairs waiting to be installed. The Cube, the monumental digital entrance that will serve as the stadium's front door, is being framed out.

And to think that the ground-breaking ceremony took place on December 4, 2024. In a little more than 10 months, the site has gone from a gravel yard to something that resembles a stadium.

Below you will find photographs of the construction site next to corresponding renderings from HOK, the architecture firm behind Etihad Park. It will give you a taste of how NYCFC's home will feel when it opens in 2027.

Timeline: How New York City FC got their soccer stadium

If you either missed or forgot about some of the twists and turns in the long journey to Etihad Park, here’s a comprehensive timeline of the years-long New York City soccer stadium saga.

Hudson River BlueAndrew Leigh

Walking through the once, and future, Valley of Ashes

What it was like to walk the grounds that will soon be home to New York City FC’s new soccer stadium.

Hudson River BlueAndrew Leigh

NYCFC pick HOK to design Queens stadium

The architects will work with Turner Construction Company: The two heavy-hitters know how to get things done in NYC.

Hudson River BlueOliver Strand

The West Stand

The stand closest to Citi Field will be home to the stadium's hospitality suites, premium seating, player locker rooms, the Press Room, and the Tunnel Club (see below).

The Supporters' Stand

The Supporters' Stand will accommodate 3,400, and will be the steepest standing section allowed in Major League Soccer.

The Cube

Etihad Park's front door is The Cube, a seven-story entrance covered with 11,000 square feet of LED screens.

City Square

The multi-use City Square will feature the Five Borough Food Hall, which will have a rotating roster of vendors from across New York City. It will also have community spaces that will have programming on non-match days.

The Tunnel Club

The Tunnel Club is the most exclusive area open to the public, and will feature a restaurant that the players will pass through on their way to the field. Press conferences in the Press Room (below) will be visible from the Tunnel Club.

The Press Room

The Press Room will be in full view from the Tunnel Club.

The Centerline Club

The food and beverage service at the Centerline Club in the West Stand will have a direct view onto the field.

You'll find more information about Etihad Park here.