Well, It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for...NYCFC and the City of New York have announced plans to construct a 25,000 seat stadium in Willets Point, Queens, as a part of a HUGE project involving 2,500+ units of affordable housing, a school, and a hotel. You have no idea how much it means to me personally to write that sentence.
But on the other hand, if you’re an NYCFC fan, I’m sure many of you know exactly how much it means to me, because it probably means the same for you too. It’s the final piece of the puzzle. It’s the final MASSIVE piece of the puzzle that finally completes the full beautiful picture of New York City Football Club.
Willet's Point Project Renderings Featuring NYCFC's Future Stadium (Via NYCFC)
While I still have a tendency to think of NYCFC as a “new” team in MLS, we have come a looooong way since our club’s conception back in the day. From dropping our team name, crest and colors in 2013, to signing our first players and beginning MLS play in 2015, to making our first playoff appearance in 2016, and winning our first MLS Cup in 2021, this club has made consistent strides year in and year out with no sign of slowing down.
In terms of on-field success, I think you could say we’ve achieved all we could’ve dreamed of. But, no matter how many great players we’ve produced, matches we’ve won, trophies we’ve lifted, or memories we’ve cultivated, it’s all felt a bit empty not having a place to call “home”.
Throwback to the club's founding in 2013 (Via The New York Times)
And while that home has not yet been built yet, the very idea of laying its foundation and dreaming of its construction is enough to signify that our search will not go on forever. We will have our own stadium - which is something I’ve yet to say with full conviction since becoming a supporter of this club nearly a decade ago.
But, now what? Beyond the emotion of the announcement, the excitement of the press conference, and the beauty of the renderings, what does this mean for New York City Football Club until ribbon-cutting day?
In truth, we still have a really long way to go until my ass is in one of those blue seats in Queens. The project’s stated completion date is 2027, and there’s no two ways about it, that’s a very long time to wait. Do you know what you’ll be doing FIVE years from now? Because I sure as hell don’t.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams Announcing Stadium Plans (Via MLS)
And I don’t say this to bring down the mood, or to make any criticism of the club’s plans. I think five years is just how long it takes for things like this to get done when you consider the scale of the project and the bureaucratic hoops that all developments like this must go through in this city.
So, it kinda is what it is, right? We will continue to wait, just as we have for the last nine years, and just as we would’ve indefinitely if no stadium plans been announced today. In a way, simultaneously nothing has changed, and everything has changed in just one day.
But, I find this form of waiting to be much sweeter. We’ve been ushered out of a form of purgatory, and into an era of anticipation. Now, we’re waiting for the school year to end and for summer vacation to start. We’re waiting for Santa to come down the chimney on Christmas morning. We’re waiting for your favorite artist’s new album to drop, or for the next season of your favorite show to come out on Netflix. Ladies and gentlemen, we officially have something to look forward to - and that’s a beautiful thing.
And on that note, I’m gonna go grab a beer and celebrate. So cheers to the City of New York, to the Borough of Queens, to New York City Football Club, and to everyone who worked behind the scenes to bring a project like this over the line. First round’s on me.
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