New York City FC installed the final steel beam at Etihad Park today, finishing construction of the stadium’s structural frame. Despite an extraordinarily harsh winter, the installation of the final steel beam was completed on schedule, bringing New York City FC’s promise to build New York City’s first-ever soccer-specific stadium closer to reality. The Club will begin playing matches at Etihad Park in the 2027–28 MLS season, more than a decade after their MLS debut.
Today’s topping out ceremony celebrated this historic moment and honored the all-union construction crew, whose work has brought New York City FC’s vision for Etihad Park to life. Following the ceremony, the stadium’s final steel beam was raised and installed by a crew of Ironworkers Local 361 union members. These crew members included: JC Steel Superintendent Matt Bispo; Crane Operator Mark Jones; Crane Oiler Bobby Bernardo; Foreman Anthony Stonish; Ground Crew Matthew Warren and Ray Glynn; Connectors Cameron Jacobs and Will Grogan; Signalman Gerard Dolce; and Apprentice Dennis Brown. A tree was placed on top of the beam and raised with it, as part of a centuries-old tradition of placing a tree at the highest point of a structure to symbolize growth, resilience, and good fortune for the building and the people who gather there.
New York City FC was joined by elected officials, union leaders, hundreds of construction workers, fans, and community members.
“Today’s milestone is not just a marker of construction progress, it is the realization of a vision that will shape the future of this Club and the sport in New York City for generations. Thanks to the extraordinary work of our all-union construction teams and partners, that vision is becoming reality. We look forward to welcoming our fans to Etihad Park for the first time next summer and to marking the beginning of a new era for New York City FC,” said New York City FC Co-Vice Chairman Marty Edelman.
“Today marks an important milestone towards finally giving New York soccer fans our own stadium," said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. "I want to thank all of the workers who have gotten us to this point, including the more than 300 hard-working men and women from Queens who have been hired on this project. Etihad Park represents more than just a soccer stadium -- it's the type of project we want to see: fully electric and union-made by and for New Yorkers."
“The installation of the final beam at Etihad Park marks a poignant milestone for the entire New York City FC community, especially for our fans who have been waiting years for their own stadium. After nearly a decade of searching for the right place to build a home for our Club, we’re proud to celebrate the remarkable progress made in such a short time. We are especially grateful to Turner, the City, and our union partners for helping create a stadium that reflects the impact our Club has on our city,” said New York City FC CEO Brad Sims.
Etihad Park’s construction is being privately financed by New York City FC and constructed with 100% union labor. The 25,000-seat stadium will be the first fully electric outdoor stadium in the country and remains on schedule to open for the 2027-28 MLS season.
Since breaking ground in December 2024, more than 300 Queens residents have been hired on the project. Etihad Park’s workforce is all-union, with members from Local 1 Plumbers, Local 3 IBEW (Electrical Workers), SMART Local 28 (Sheet Metal Workers), Local 45 Carpenters, Metallic Lathers and Reinforcing Ironworkers Local 46, Local 79 Laborers, Local 638 Steamfitters, Local 731 Excavators, Local 1456 Painters, and DC9 Painters. The food for the event was catered by Antonio’s Kitchen, a local restaurant based in East Elmhurst, Queens. When the stadium opens, it will be operated by 32BJ and UNITE HERE Local 100.
Etihad Park is part of the broader Willets Point Redevelopment, projected to generate $6.1 billion in economic impact and will deliver 2,500 affordable homes — the largest 100% affordable housing project in New York City in 40 years — a 650-seat public school, a 250-key hotel, over 40,000 square feet of public open space, 1,550 permanent jobs, and 14,200 construction jobs. The first 880 units of affordable housing will be welcoming residents starting this spring.
“Etihad Park represents everything we envisioned for soccer in the largest market in the country -- a world-class, fan-first stadium that will elevate New York City FC and Major League Soccer. This is a transformational project that will be a cathedral for the sport, an anchor in the city’s sports landscape, and an inspiration for the next generation of players and fans across New York. The impact of this stadium will be felt for decades to come,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber.
“Today's topping off of Etihad Park represents a tremendous milestone in the rebirth of Willets Point, the growth of The World’s Game in The World’s Borough and the cementing of Queens’ status as the cultural heartbeat of New York City,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “This modern, all-electric stadium will bring New York City Football Club’s brand of world-class soccer and immense economic opportunity right to our doorsteps in Queens, in addition to the more than 300 active union construction jobs that have already been filled by borough residents. Etihad Park will be a crown jewel of Queens for many decades to come — welcome home, NYCFC.”
“Welcoming the state’s first soccer stadium to our backyard is a powerful signal of what’s possible when development is done with community intention and impact in mind. This project will bring new opportunities for our neighbors, support local small businesses, and strengthen the economic engine that makes Queens, the World’s Borough, so dynamic. It’s an exciting moment, not just for today, but for the generations of neighbors and entrepreneurs who will benefit from what’s being built here. This topping-out ceremony represents real investment in our community and the future of Queens,” said New York City Council Member Shanel Thomas-Henry.
"Today's topping out is yet another testament to the dedication and skill of the union tradesmen and tradeswomen who have been entrusted with this project that will not only provide New York City its first soccer-specific stadium, but also create thousands of family-sustaining careers and much-needed community reinvestment in Queens," said Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. "The Building Trades and our members are proud to play such a key role in providing NYCFC and its supporters a home at Etihad Park and look forward to seeing the project completed in time to host matches in 2027."
“Today, we celebrate a success story of government and private industry working together to build a community where working people can thrive. Etihad Park and the broader Willets Point redevelopment is delivering good union jobs, affordable housing, a new school and open space. Etihad Park will also provide permanent jobs for 32BJ members and thousands of others, creating real economic growth for Queens and beyond,” said Manny Pastreich, President of 32BJ.
“Today’s topping out represents decades of opportunity to come for the hardworking men and women of the food service industry—the cooks, servers, and concession staff who will bring Etihad Park to life. It is an honor to stand with NYCFC, New York elected officials and fellow Labor leaders as we celebrate the union construction workers building this stadium,” said Jose Maldonado, President of UNITEHERE Local 100.
“Willets Point is one of the most rapidly growing neighborhoods in New York City and a once-in-a-generation investment in Queens that will deliver thousands of affordable homes, new jobs, public green space, a new public school and more,” said Jeff Blau, CEO, Related Companies, and Scott Wilpon, Partner, Sterling Equities, on behalf of Queens Development Group. “As we move one step closer to welcoming the first residents this Spring, we are proud to celebrate this key milestone for Etihad Park, the city’s first professional soccer-specific stadium, alongside New York City FC, city leaders, and local partners who helped bring the longstanding vision for this community to life.”
“I am excited to see this project continuing to move forward and doing so with 100% union labor,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens). “This installation of the final steel beam brings us one step closer to the completion of New York City's first professional soccer-specific stadium. I look forward to the progress continuing and the economic benefits that this will bring to our borough.”
"Queens is the most diverse county in the country, and now it will be home to a world-class soccer stadium. This ceremony is an exciting milestone for the families, small businesses, and communities in Queens who will benefit from the jobs and economic activity this project brings. I thank former Councilman Francisco Moya for his leadership and commitment to the development of the stadium; I am proud to see this investment in our borough moving forward," said New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky.
"Our community is growing alongside this project, and I've worked to make sure that growth includes the people who call Queens home. Over 300 Queens residents are earning union wages on this job site and building careers that will last long after the final beam is in place. That's what real development looks like; not just new buildings, but new opportunity for working families. I'll keep fighting to ensure every major project in Queens delivers that same return to our neighborhoods,” said New York State Assembly Member Larinda Hooks.
“This topping-out ceremony marks an exciting milestone not only for New York City FC, but for Queens and our entire city,” said New York City Council Deputy Leader Sandra Ung. “Etihad Park is more than a stadium, it represents years of commitment, the strength of organized labor, and a vision for what thoughtful development can achieve. I look forward to the day when fans fill this stadium and contribute to the economic growth of our borough. Congratulations to everyone who made this milestone possible, especially the hardworking men and women who quite literally built this vision from the ground up.”
“Today’s a very exciting day for everyone in Queens and for all soccer fans. In about one year from now, NYCFC will be playing MLS soccer in their very own state-of-the-art 25,000 seat soccer stadium,” said Chuck Apelian, Chair of Queens Community Board 7. “We can’t wait for that day and kudos for everyone who helped make this happen.”
“We’re proud to see the world’s game finding a permanent home in the world’s borough. Etihad Park represents more than a stadium -- it’s a powerful investment in our local economy, creating good-paying jobs and catalyzing economic activity that will continue to support small businesses across Queens. This location in the heart of the most diverse place on Earth further solidifies Queens as the new destination in NYC. From construction to game day operations, this project is delivering real economic impact for our communities and helping ensure Queens continues to grow as a global destination,” said Thomas J. Grech, President & CEO, Queens Chamber of Commerce.
