NYCFC Celebrates Etihad Park Groundbreaking After Years of Effort

CEO Brad Sims reflects on the 'groundswell of positivity' that led to the new stadium's approval and construction.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 6:42pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the construction of a new sports stadium, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant blues, greens, and oranges conveying the dynamic energy and multifaceted nature of the project.The complex, multi-faceted process of building Etihad Park is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration that deconstructs the stadium's construction into a dynamic, geometric composition.Queens Today

NYCFC CEO Brad Sims discusses the long journey to get Etihad Park built, including the need to maintain secrecy, navigate political hurdles, and build community support every step of the way. Despite facing doubts until the final vote, Sims says a 'groundswell of positivity' ultimately led to near-unanimous approval for the new stadium in Queens.

Why it matters

The construction of Etihad Park represents a major milestone for NYCFC, providing the team with a permanent home and helping to solidify its place in the New York sports landscape. The stadium's approval also showcases the power of grassroots community support in driving large-scale development projects.

The details

Sims explains that NYCFC had to carefully manage the stadium approval process, avoiding public speculation that could derail the project. The team navigated a series of political hurdles, including votes by the community board, borough president, and city council. Sims says the key was building a 'groundswell of positivity' around the project, which helped generate near-unanimous support at each step.

  • NYCFC won the MLS Cup championship in 2024, with fans chanting for a new stadium during the celebration.
  • In December 2024, NYCFC officially broke ground on Etihad Park after years of planning and approvals.

The players

Brad Sims

The CEO of NYCFC, who oversaw the lengthy process of getting Etihad Park approved and built.

Donovan Richards

The Queens borough president who helped shepherd the stadium project through the local approval process.

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What they’re saying

“The fans are, 'We want a stadium. We want a stadium.' I'm just like, 'Cool.' Like, you know, 'We just, we got a trophy up here.' 'We just won a trophy.' You know, it's like, it's like, no, I do too, man. I want a stadium too, you know?”

— Brad Sims, CEO, NYCFC

“To have things, you don't, you don't wanna play this out in, in the kind of the court of public opinion and everything. You know, because things could get derailed.”

— Brad Sims, CEO, NYCFC

What’s next

NYCFC plans to hold a grand opening celebration for Etihad Park in the summer of 2026, ahead of the team's first full season playing in the new stadium.

The takeaway

The successful construction of Etihad Park demonstrates the power of community engagement and political savvy in driving large-scale development projects. NYCFC's ability to build grassroots support and navigate the approval process without overpromising or jinxing the project ultimately paid off with a new state-of-the-art home for the team.