Gotham FC is moving to the Big Apple.
The NWSL club will join New York City FC in calling Etihad Park home after years of playing in New Jersey, Gotham FC announced on Tuesday.
The club will move into the brand-new soccer-specific stadium being built in Willets Point, Queens, beginning in 2028, marking the first time in the franchise’s existence that Gotham FC will be based in the five boroughs.
The Post had confirmed earlier this summer that Gotham FC and NYCFC were in talks about the NWSL side moving to Queens to share Etihad Park with their MLS counterpart.
Tuesday’s news comes a little more than a week before Gotham get their first taste of playing in Queens when they host the Washington Spirit at Citi Field in what has been dubbed “The Queens Classic,” taking place on July 15.
“From day one, our ambition has been bigger than championships,” Gotham FC governor Carolyn Tisch Blodgett said in a statement. “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, and we are deeply grateful to New York City FC for their vision and commitment to helping make this historic moment possible.
“World-class athletes deserve world-class environments, and this move allows us to keep raising the standard for our players, supporters and the game itself. Gotham FC is showing what is possible when you invest boldly in women’s soccer, and we are committed to building an experience worthy of the fans who have believed in this club from the beginning.”
It’s the second major announcement that Gotham’s ownership has made in less than a month after it had said it would be taking over the former Red Bull New York training facility in Whippany, N.J., and turning it into a state-of-the-art training facility for Gotham.
Gotham has long had a connection to New Jersey, dating back to their days as Sky Blue FC, and through the franchise’s history has at different times called Rutgers’ Yurcak Field and Sports Illustrated Stadium its home.
Gotham has averaged 8,148 fans this season at Sports Illustrated Stadium, with the largest crowd being for a 1-1 draw against Boston Legacy FC on May 9, with 11,308 fans in the stands. That figure was boosted by a partnership with Mayor Zohran Mamdani to sell 1,000 tickets for $5.
The NWSL side will play one final season in Harrison, N.J., in 2027 before moving into their new home.
Etihad Park will officially open its doors for the 2027-28 MLS season when NYCFC moves into their new digs after spending their entire existence as nomads, playing home matches at Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, Sports Illustrated and a handful of other venues.
The addition of Gotham FC to the stadium’s list of tenants fulfills an ambition of NYCFC’s. Club executives were not shy about their desire to have a women’s team at Etihad Park, with NYCFC CEO Brad Sims mentioning it during interviews and COO Jennifer O’Sullivan saying in March that it was a “guarantee” that it would happen, she just wasn’t sure when.
“Welcoming Gotham FC to Etihad Park is an important step in delivering on that promise and building a world-class home for the game in New York City,” NYCFC co-vice chairman Marty Edelman said in a statement. “We are grateful to Carolyn and the entire Gotham ownership group for their partnership in making this moment possible, and we look forward to working together to elevate the game, inspire the next generation, and shape the future of soccer in New York City and beyond.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
