Gotham F.C., the reigning champion of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), announced on Tuesday it will relocate its home games from Harrison, New Jersey, to Queens, New York, starting in 2028. The team will play at Etihad Park, a stadium currently under construction near Flushing that is scheduled to open in 2027 and will serve as the future home of Major League Soccer’s New York City FC.
Since its founding as Jersey Sky Blue in 2006, Gotham F.C. has played home games in various venues, most recently at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, the home ground of New York Red Bulls. The team’s owners cited potential growth in fan base and proximity to New York City as primary reasons for the move. Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, the club’s governing owner, said the shift reflects a broader vision to elevate Gotham’s profile and position it alongside the country’s most popular sports franchises.
“Announcing this new stadium is the next chapter in the story,” Tisch Blodgett remarked, highlighting research indicating that relocating to Queens would place an additional three million potential fans within easy commuting distance of games. The team averaged over 8,500 attendees per game at its New Jersey venue over the past two seasons, below the league average of nearly 11,000.
The club signed a five-year lease with an option for extension at Etihad Park, which is being developed primarily for New York City FC. Brad Sims, president and CEO of N.Y.C.F.C., said the stadium will reflect Gotham’s branding during their matches, including digital signage and LED displays designed to create a dedicated atmosphere for the team. Sims also indicated the venue aims to host major events, such as U.S. men’s and women’s national soccer games, lacrosse, and future Rugby World Cups.
Despite the move across state lines, Gotham will maintain operational ties to New Jersey. The team plans to train at the former Red Bulls practice facility in Whippany, New Jersey, where it will customize the space. Most players are expected to continue living in New Jersey, where they spend the majority of their training time, according to Yael Averbuch West, Gotham’s president of soccer operations and a Montclair native.
Local officials welcomed the announcement. New York City Mayor Zorhan Madani highlighted the potential for broader community engagement, noting that moving Gotham to Queens will make live professional women’s soccer more accessible to young fans throughout the city’s boroughs. Additionally, the team is scheduled to play a preview game in the city on July 15, hosting the Washington Spirit at Citi Field. Tisch Blodgett said tickets for that match have surpassed 30,000, potentially setting a new attendance record for a women’s sporting event in New York City’s five boroughs, building on the excitement generated by this year’s Women’s World Cup.