A New Era Begins: NYCFC Confirms Historic Etihad Park Debut for 2027–28 Season

New York City FC has officially set the date for a milestone moment in club history. The first match at Etihad Park — New York City’s first purpose-built soccer stadium — will take place in the summer of 2027, coinciding with the launch of the 2027–28 MLS season.

Rather than opening midway through a competition cycle, the Club has chosen to align its long-awaited stadium debut with the beginning of a new era in Major League Soccer. The league will shift to a revised calendar format that year, beginning with a transition competition from February through May 2027. That abbreviated season will feature a 14-game regular season, followed by playoffs and MLS Cup, before the full 2027–28 campaign kicks off in the summer.

During that transition window, NYCFC will continue to host matches at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field — venues that have defined the club’s identity since its inaugural season.

Why NYCFC Chose 2027–28 for the Etihad Park Debut

According to CEO Brad Sims, the decision was strategic as much as symbolic. Construction at Etihad Park remains on schedule, and progress continues steadily. Yet the Club determined that opening its new home at the outset of a complete season would deliver a more meaningful and cohesive experience for supporters.

Launching the stadium alongside a full campaign allows fans to embrace Etihad Park from day one — rather than stepping into a partial season shaped by transition. It ensures the opening match is not simply a fixture on the calendar, but the start of a new competitive chapter for both NYCFC and MLS.

The months preceding that inaugural game will not be quiet. The Club plans to stage a series of test events to fine-tune operations, logistics, and fan experience. From matchday flow to stadium acoustics, every detail will be calibrated to meet expectations when the first whistle blows in summer 2027.

A Farewell to Iconic Venues Before a Historic Move

The timeline also provides space for reflection. NYCFC’s tenure at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field has been unconventional yet formative. Those grounds have hosted playoff runs, derby clashes, and some of the most memorable moments in club history. By delaying the Etihad Park debut until the 2027–28 season, the Club can properly honor its final matches in those iconic ballparks.

This approach transforms the transition season into something more than a logistical bridge. It becomes a farewell tour — an opportunity for fans to celebrate shared memories before stepping into a purpose-built home designed exclusively for the sport.

Etihad Park represents more than bricks and steel. It symbolizes permanence in a city that demands ambition. As MLS reshapes its calendar and NYCFC prepares to turn the page, the synchronization of league evolution and stadium debut feels deliberate.

When summer 2027 arrives, it won’t simply mark the opening of a new venue. It will signal the beginning of a defining chapter — one rooted in identity, stability, and a stadium NYCFC can finally call its own.