Construction is taking shape at Etihad Park

Construction is moving quickly on Etihad Park, the future home of Major League Soccer's New York City Football Club (NYCFC), located at 126-87 Willets Point Boulevard in Willets Point, Queens. Designed by HOK, the 24,851-seat venue will stand as the centerpiece of a 23-acre redevelopment plan and become the first fully electric stadium in New York City and MLS history.

For construction professionals working in sports venues, mixed-use developments and sustainable infrastructure - this project represents a major ongoing opportunity in one of the city's most transformative urban redevelopment areas.

What's being built at Etihad Park

The Etihad Park development is ambitious in both scale and scope, encompassing far more than just a soccer stadium.

The stadium

• Capacity: 24,851 seats including 3,436 supporters section seats, 64 pitch-side lounge seats, and 287 ADA-accessible seats
• Design: Partially covered stands with an open-air pitch and a beveled, LED-covered entryway along Seaver Way
• Amenities: 14 bars, seven beer markets, eight pitch-side lounges, 23 lower-level suites, nine upper-level suites, and two upper-level "Mini Clubs"
• Sustainability: First fully electric stadium in NYC and MLS history
• Financing: 100% privately financed

The broader development

The stadium is the centerpiece of a 23-acre redevelopment plan that includes:

• A new 650-seat public school that will provide much-needed educational capacity in an underserved area of Queens, keeping local students close to home and reducing overcrowding in nearby schools
• A hotel that will generate jobs in hospitality and support services while bringing visitors who boost the local economy and support nearby businesses
• More than 150,000 square feet of public open space that transforms what was an industrial zone into a livable neighborhood, giving residents green areas for recreation, community events, and outdoor activities - critical amenities in dense urban areas
• New residential buildings currently under construction
• Infrastructure improvements including new sidewalks and the southern extension of Willets Point Boulevard

Together, these elements turn Willets Point into a mixed-use, transit-accessible community that benefits existing residents while attracting new investment and economic opportunity.

The project site is bounded by 127th Street to the northeast, 35th Avenue to the northwest, Willets Point Boulevard to the southeast and Seaver Way and Citi Field to the southwest. The closest subway access is the 7 train at the Mets-Willets Point station.

Construction progress update

Etihad Park has made significant visible progress in recent months:

• Southwest corner topped out with structural steel in place
• Grandstands taking shape with the concrete lower seating bowl already complete
• Concurrent residential construction underway to the south
• Infrastructure work progressing on new sidewalks and the southern extension of Willets Point Boulevard
• Future phases planned including demolition of remaining auto repair shops along Seaver Way to make way for additional housing

The stadium is expected to open before the 2027 MLS season, giving construction teams approximately two years to complete the venue and surrounding infrastructure.

Why this matters for construction

Stadium and mixed-use urban redevelopment projects are among the most complex construction undertakings. They require specialized expertise that goes far beyond standard commercial construction.

Multi-Phase coordination

Etihad Park isn't just a stadium - it's a 23-acre redevelopment with residential buildings, a public school, a hotel, public open space and new infrastructure all being built concurrently. Coordinating these overlapping phases demands experienced leadership who can manage multiple teams, trades and timelines simultaneously without letting any piece fall behind.

Tight deadlines with zero flexibility

Sports venues have hard opening deadlines that don't move. The 2027 MLS season kicks off whether the stadium is ready or not, which means construction must stay on schedule despite weather, supply chain challenges and the inherent complexity of urban construction. High-profile projects also mean intense public and media scrutiny at every stage - one delay becomes front-page news.

Advanced MEP and sustainable systems

As the first fully electric stadium in NYC and MLS history, Etihad Park requires sophisticated mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems designed to deliver sustainable, high-performance infrastructure. This isn't just about meeting code - it's about pioneering new approaches to stadium design that other cities will study and replicate. MEP coordination must be flawless to meet both operational requirements and ambitious sustainability goals.

Urban construction challenges

Building in Willets Point, Queens, means navigating tight site access, active subway lines, proximity to Citi Field and coordination with ongoing residential and infrastructure work. Urban construction demands professionals who understand logistical complexity, can maintain safety and quality in constrained environments and know how to keep projects moving when space and access are limited.

Public accessibility and community impact

With a public school, hotel, and extensive public open space being developed alongside the stadium, accessibility, safety and community impact are critical considerations throughout construction. This project isn't just about delivering a building - it's about transforming a neighborhood and creating infrastructure that serves the community for decades to come.

What does this mean for hiring?

Let's be direct: building the first fully electric stadium in NYC while simultaneously constructing housing, a school, a hotel and 150,000 square feet of public space isn't a job for your average construction team.

This is the kind of project that separates the experienced from the exceptional. You need leaders who've been through the chaos of tight urban sites, managed the pressure of hard deadlines with zero wiggle room and coordinated multiple moving parts without dropping the ball.

Think about the reality of this project: You're working next to an active subway line. Citi Field is right there. Residential buildings are going up at the same time. The whole city is watching. And by the way, it has to open before the 2027 MLS season kicks off - no extensions, no excuses.

The demand right now

Project Managers and Directors who've delivered sports venues or major commercial projects and know how to keep everyone aligned. These leaders need to understand not just construction fundamentals, but how to navigate the political, logistical and operational complexity of high-stakes urban projects.

Superintendents who thrive in high-stakes, multi-phase builds where every day counts. Managing day-to-day operations on a project like Etihad Park requires professionals who can handle complexity, coordinate multiple trades, maintain safety on busy urban sites and keep teams moving toward hard deadlines.

MEP Coordinators who can make a fully electric stadium actually work - not just on paper, but in reality. Delivering NYC's first fully electric stadium demands coordinators who understand advanced electrical systems, sustainable infrastructure and the coordination required to integrate cutting-edge technology into a high-performance venue.

Safety Managers who can keep everyone safe on a high-visibility urban site where one incident makes the news. High-profile urban construction sites require rigorous safety management and professionals with experience managing safety on complex, multi-phase projects with public exposure and tight site conditions.

With a 2027 completion target and multiple concurrent phases including residential, public infrastructure and the stadium itself, competition for experienced construction talent in Queens and across New York remains intense.

The bigger picture: Willets Point redevelopment

Etihad Park is just one piece of a broader transformation happening in Willets Point. The 23-acre redevelopment represents one of New York City's most ambitious urban renewal projects, turning an industrial area into a mixed-use community with housing, schools, public space and world-class sports infrastructure.

For construction professionals, this means sustained, long-term opportunities in Queens as additional residential buildings, infrastructure and public amenities come online over the next several years. The skills and experience gained on projects like Etihad Park open doors to similar high-profile developments across New York and beyond.

Building sports venues or mixed-use developments in New York?

If you're a construction professional looking to get involved in major projects like Etihad Park, or if you're hiring for stadium construction, mixed-use developments, or large-scale projects in New York or New Jersey, Amy Futcher and Harry Murphy specialize in connecting top construction professionals with leading employers across the region.

They both cover New York and New Jersey, bringing deep networks and expertise in placing specialized construction professionals who can deliver high-profile, complex projects.

? Amy Futcher (NY & NJ): amy@wesearchpeople.com
? Harry Murphy (NY & NJ): harry@wesearchpeople.com