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A New Era Begins: New York City FC to Start 2027-28 Season at Etihad Park | New York City FC
New York City FC today announced the Club will play their first match at Etihad Park, New York City’s first soccer-specific stadium, with the beginning of the 2027-28 MLS season in the summer of 2027. Before the calendar change, MLS will stage a transition season from February to May 2027,www.newyorkcityfc.com
And that answers one of the big topics of debate on this forum!
Call me cynical but given all the recent reporting about the massive revenue gains they will get from the new stadium I find it hard to believe they are leaving all that money on the table just for a clean launch.
Do other stadiums do soft launch tests events before they use the full capacity? I'd have to imagine they would want towatch the first event be a concert. i was thinking maybe they host gold cup games but that may be too close to their completion deadline.
watch the first event be a concert. i was thinking maybe they host gold cup games but that may be too close to their completion deadline.
From the Post:
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NYCFC plans move into new $780 million Queens stadium for summer 2027
New York City FC now knows when it will be moving into its new stadium in Queens.nypost.com
As an aside, I don't follow the US Open Cup at all. What would be the schedule for MLS teams joining the competition by summer time?
NYCFCII vs Royal Delaware United is the perfect soft opening to iron out any bugs.![]()
There's just too much uncertainty this far out. The schedule for the sprint season needs to be determined well in advance, likely before the club will feel solid enough about being able to host.Call me cynical but given all the recent reporting about the massive revenue gains they will get from the new stadium I find it hard to believe they are leaving all that money on the table just for a clean launch.
This is where I ended up after thinking it all through. My old restaurateur's instincts always say, "Get open as soon as you can." But this isn't happening in a vacuum. It's only sensible to do it in the first new season under the new schedule.There's just too much uncertainty this far out. The schedule for the sprint season needs to be determined well in advance, likely before the club will feel solid enough about being able to host.
They also need to negotiate planning with the Yankees/Mets into it in case they weren't able to host, so need to get ahead of that.
They were also slated to start the new season with at least 4-5 games on the road (similar to Miami this year), so in a 14 game sprint season, that gets really wonky.
It's hard for me to believe that they were ever strongly considering opening it for the sprint season. The only consideration, IMO, would be opening it midway through that, and then they lose a ton of fanfare associated with that, so I'm not even sure that was ever a true consideration.
Much respect.And now I have my deadline. Literally.![]()
Right on. I had an uncle who once told me, in typical Irish fashion, "Everything is funny until it's potentially lethal. Then it's uproarious."Much respect.
I have regular conversations about gallows humor with my family and frequently talk about mine and my wife's death. Recently composed a little ditty in the voice of one of my daughters based on a conversation with her that went
I'm not saying I want either of you to die
But I sure hope mom dies first
I'm not saying it's destined for any pop charts. But it was a pretty funny exchange (of the had to be there variety I'm sure).
My point is I respect anyone who dishes gallows humor.
Here's to all of us raising a glass together with you at the opening match and spitting in the reaper's eye.
I think it is that much more important when there are loved ones involved. Just now my wife was giving her 91 year old mother instructions for while we are away on vacation, including that she should call if anything is wrong with her. My mother-in-law mimed dialing the phone and then said, "Hello? I'm dead. Come home." Then she cackled away.Right on. I had an uncle who once told me, in typical Irish fashion, "Everything is funny until it's potentially lethal. Then it's uproarious."
It's much easier in my case than yours though, I think. It's just me. It's much harder when it's someone you love. My condolences, and kudos for keeping it rolling for the girls. Power on.![]()