NYCFC's New Etihad Park Stadium Gives Them 'Upper Hand' Over Red Bulls, Says Legend

Former Red Bulls star Bradley Wright-Phillips believes the $780 million, 25,000-seat stadium will help NYCFC attract top talent and shift the power dynamic in the New York soccer rivalry.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:37am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in vibrant colors depicting an abstract soccer match between NYCFC and the New York Red Bulls, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes.NYCFC's new stadium gives the club a competitive edge over their crosstown rivals, as illustrated by the fractured, cubist depiction of the New York soccer derby.NYC Today

New York City FC's long-awaited soccer-specific stadium, Etihad Park, is a game-changer for the MLS club, according to former New York Red Bulls star Bradley Wright-Phillips. The $780 million, 25,000-seat stadium represents legitimacy, permanence, and a chance to attract top global talent to MLS ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Why it matters

NYCFC's new stadium is a significant milestone for the club, which has long been criticized for its nomadic existence playing in venues like Yankee Stadium and Citi Field. The soccer-specific stadium gives NYCFC a true home and is expected to help the club attract more top talent and fans, shifting the power dynamic in the New York soccer rivalry.

The details

NYCFC recently completed the final structural piece of its Etihad Park stadium project in Queens. The new venue will provide the club with a permanent home after years of playing in temporary venues. According to Wright-Phillips, the stadium gives NYCFC 'a bit of an upper hand' over the New York Red Bulls, who have long pointed to their own world-class stadium in Harrison, New Jersey as a mark of superiority. With NYCFC now having a true home of their own, the 'little brother' narrative in the rivalry is officially dead.

  • NYCFC recently lifted the final structural piece of its Etihad Park stadium project.
  • The $780 million, 25,000-seat stadium is expected to be completed ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in part by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The players

Bradley Wright-Phillips

A former star striker for the New York Red Bulls and one of the most prolific scorers in MLS history. He is now an analyst for the Covers.com World Cup betting site.

Don Garber

The Commissioner of Major League Soccer, who called Etihad Park 'a cathedral for the sport' and 'an anchor in the city's sports landscape' at the stadium's topping-out ceremony.

Leo Messi

The global soccer superstar who signed with Inter Miami CF ahead of the 2026 World Cup, following a similar path to David Beckham's move to the LA Galaxy.

Frank Lampard

A former star player who was brought in by NYCFC, demonstrating the club's ambition to win.

Andrea Pirlo

Another high-profile player signed by NYCFC, further proving the club's mission to win.

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What they’re saying

“A new stadium gives NYCFC a bit of an upper hand on the NY Red Bulls. There's always been some back and forth between both teams; one team has won the shield, but the other has countered by winning the cup.”

— Bradley Wright-Phillips, Former New York Red Bulls Star

“The only criticism you could give NYCFC was that they didn't have their own stadium. But now that they've been granted that, you can't hold anything against them! They've got a brand new stadium in New York, they've won the MLS Cup, so things are looking good for them.”

— Bradley Wright-Phillips, Former New York Red Bulls Star

“It's a signal to the league as if to say 'look at us'. And certainly a statement of intent to Red Bull.”

— Bradley Wright-Phillips, Former New York Red Bulls Star

What’s next

The new Etihad Park stadium is expected to be completed ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in part by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The stadium's opening is seen as a major opportunity for NYCFC to attract top global talent and cement their status as a premier MLS club.

The takeaway

NYCFC's new Etihad Park stadium represents a significant milestone for the club, providing them with a permanent home and a competitive edge over their crosstown rivals the New York Red Bulls. The $780 million, 25,000-seat venue is expected to help NYCFC attract top talent and shift the power dynamic in the New York soccer rivalry.