NYCFC announced that they will move into their new stadium in Queens in the summer of 2027, in time for the beginning of the 2027-28 MLS season. The move will coincide with MLS’ shift to the European football calendar, with play starting in July and running through May, as opposed to the current February through November schedule.
The $780 million ballpark will be located in Flushing, directly across the street from Citi Field, home of MLB’s New York Mets. The new stadium, along with a proposed casino, plus Citi Field and the Billie Jean King USTA Tennis Center, will help transform the area into one of the premier sports and entertainment zones in the United States.
There was a question whether the team would try to move in time for MLS’ abbreviated winter season in 2027. As part of the shift to the new calendar, MLS will play a shortened season from February to May 2027 before shifting to the new calendar starting in July. But it made more sense for the team to continue playing at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field for the 14-game transition season before making the move.
The capacity of the new stadium will be 25,000, and will be the first new stadium built in any of the five boroughs since the Barclays Center opened in 2012. UBS Arena was built more recently, but isn’t in the New York City metro area.
Doubleheader Digest
For those of you who are chasing ballparks, we might suggest that you put a hold on visiting Citi Field until this new stadium opens in 2027. That would give you the opportunity to see both stadiums at the same time. And don’t forget, the U.S. Open tennis tournament takes place every August-September right down the street, which would give you the opportunity to see all three as part of one trip.
We’re not saying you should avoid going to Citi Field – it’s well worth going to, and arguably has the best food in all of MLB. We just think you could push it off by a year to get more bang for your travel buck.
